PROGRAMS:

COMPANIES:

• Lockheed

LOCATIONS:

Kennedy Space Center

POSITIONS:

GLS Operator

COMMENTS:

This part of my life was an awesome experience and bigger than any childhood dream that I had as a young boy. The days of actual launches and sim-launches were so exciting and fulfilling.

The people that I got to interface with were amazing and harbored a humble sense of pride. I was able to make inputs to the application software for the Ground Launch Sequencer and became a GLS operator during the launch countdowns and was entrusted with punching out a manual abort if it was ever needed. Luckily we never had to do that.

I sat “primary” for a couple of launches and “back-up” for a few more. I was able to see a beautiful night launch from outside and tremendously enjoyed the glorious glow and the thundering pounding on my chest as the Space Shuttle rose into the sky. I returned back to my job in the defense industry in mid-1986 but was forever proud to say that I had a part in America’s Dream.