PROGRAMS:

COMPANIES:

• Lockheed
• Lockheed Martin

LOCATIONS:

Kennedy Space Center

POSITIONS:

Main Propulsion System Engineer

COMMENTS:

I worked at the Main Propulsion System group for over five years at
Kennedy Space Center. My job began when the Spaced Shuttle Orbiter
landed. I was at the landing strip to inspect the fuel and gas interfaces
and report any damage. After the Orbiter was towed to the Orbiter
Processing Facility, we began a complete inspection of our system, which
included verification of the integrity of the vacuum lines, leak checks,
functional checkouts of the pneumatic system. After the Orbiter was towed
to the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Orbiter was mated to the External
Tank. We then performed leak checks between the Tank and the Orbiter.
After the Space Shuttle was rolled out to the launch pad, we prepared for
flight.

I obtained a Level 2 certification while at KSC, which meant that I was
certified to perform autonomous checkout of ground support equipment and
Space Shuttle functional tests from the Launch Control Center. In
preparation for launch, I was often selected to calculate how long each of
the cryogenic values took to open and close. You had to be quick with a
calculator. If the timing was not within specifications, which meant
there could be contaminants within the feed lines, this could possibly
result in catastrophic failure. I also attained Red Crew certification
which permitted me to enter the Space Shuttle and Mobile Launcher Platform
(MLP) after countdown began.