People often ask me, what’s so great about working at NASA? Some people will go as far as argue that we need to solve social problems first before spending money on space exploration. Well, I am a doctor who works in the ER, and I can tell you no amount of money will solve some of the inherent social problems I see everyday in the trenches. Frankly, if we did what those people say, we’d be throwing money down the drain and have nothing to show for it.

NASA, on the other hand, could do amazing things with just a fraction of that money. What’s so great about working at NASA? I get to be a part of history and work with the most dedicated and talented people who set out to achieve things that have never been done before. I can’t wait till I get back to NASA. If all goes as planned, I will be back 556 days from now…but who’s counting?

The flyover of JSC really was incredible. I was at an all-day off-site meeting at the Seabrook Fire Department and myself and about 20 others who had come from all over the agency and the country to participate in this meeting (about Astronaut glove tears) stood outside squinting where we thought we’d see Endeavor. We eventually spotted it, in the distance just barely above the trees. We were giving my group lead a hard time about bringing us off-site and missing the flyover, when the 747 banked around to the right and ended up going DIRECTLY overhead, probably 2000 feet up.

It was amazing.

But we had to stop giving my group lead a hard time. Of course, he claimed he planned it that way.

Here’s hoping that more people in the world are able to see the same thing in the future!

I join you in motivation and drive. Standing on the 6th floor of the Boeing building I joined with coworkers of all ages in an uncharacteristic session of common wonder, joy, and excitement as we ran back and forth to different sides of the building.

The burden of carrying our space program through to a grander future rests on our shoulders. We must lead the program toward a future that again inspires the masses, and not just those who are paying attention. The mission to the Moon is inherently great, and a permanent Moon base will bring in the imaginations of the youth once more.