National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Name:

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Title:

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What kind of work do you do as "RRM Electrical Manager"?

As the Electrical Manager, I designed the electrical system that runs the pumps, valves and sensors on the Robotic Refueling Mission. I also did that function for each of the tools, which includes the two cameras and lights as well as the heaters that keep the electronics warm.

What is your favorite part of the job?

Designing and building hardware that will fly in space and perform an important function to improve our lives here on Earth. An example is the computers and instruments that I worked on over a year on the Hubble Space Telescope.

What first interested you in working for NASA?

I met a NASA researcher while at a conference where I presented part of my doctoral dissertation. He helped me reach persons at various NASA centers that may be a good fit for my thesis, and it led to my post here at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

Where did you go to high school and college, and what degrees did you receive?

I grew up and went to school in Aruba (Dutch Caribbean), and went to high school there. From there, I came to the United States for college where I studied electrical engineering. Even as a child, I knew I would become an electrical engineer, and I have a great deal of fun working with electronics to this day.

How did your education prepare you for your work at NASA?

My work education really started when I was five. I would love to open up old electrical devices and marveled at how these little components create the magic of being able to hear music or see images. By building my own gadgets, I learned in a practical manner how they worked, even though I had no idea why they worked that way. This theoretical knowledge was finally added in my college years, and this long process has allowed me a unique way of looking at technology and mechanisms. I often advise young students to do this and to allow themselves to pursue tinkering and experimenting with their curiosity as early as possible.

What made you want to work in satellite servicing, and what interests you the most about it?

My doctoral dissertation is in robotics. This is the research area that brought me to Goddard. After a few years of doing that, I decided to join the Hubble Servicing project. With this group, I participated in five shuttle missions. When this concluded, and I heard of an activity to perform robotic satellite servicing, I figured it was a good opportunity to get back into robotics. This past two years building the Robotic Refueling Mission has not been a disappointment, and I look forward to the opportunity to be part of the final shuttle mission.

How long have you been at NASA?

This year marks my 20th year at Goddard. How time flies!