NASA Internship with Systems Integration and Test Branch
Amanda
Experience Information
Employer: NASA Langley Research Center
Job Title: NIFS Engineering Intern
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
NASA Langley Research Center was the first of 10 NASA centers located throughout the United States. The Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions all began at Langley Research Center and to this day there are historical land marks that remain from that era. Today, the main focus of the people at Langley is research into aerospace, aeronautics, and many associated fields. There are about 1900 civil servant and 1800 contractors that work at Langley in order to continue the legacy that was generated in the past. Within Langley there are numerous directorates that oversee specific areas of research. Each directorate is then divided into more specific branches.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
While working at Langley I was expected to complete a major project. This project focused on collecting information related to the design, assembly/integration, and launching of a small satellite. The goal eventually resulting in an accessible webpage that can be easily updates with new information. This was just the beginning of this project and there is still a lot that needs to be done. I also had the opportunity to witness and participate in a scientific balloon launch. I helped with document organization, hardware and ground support equipment packing before the launch. Once at the launch site I participated in launch day activities and data collection. The last responsibility that I had was to support the Thermal Vacuum Lab within the Systems Integration and Test Branch. This required me to write and run a Thermal Vacuum Test for space bound hardware, construct operational procedures for hardware, and help out where ever I could.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
This is my second time working with the Systems Integration and Test branch so I learned more about thermal vacuum testing and heat transfer within a vacuum. I was also expected to work more independently this time around. I was expected to construct procedures with minimal supervision while balancing my time between my project and lab work. By participating in the scientific Balloon launch I learned all about the process that it required.
Favorite Part of the Experience
The best part about my internship was the people. It always seemed like there were constantly people around who were willing to teach me whatever I needed to know. Everyone was very patient and understanding that I was a student who was willing to learn.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I decided to study engineering because I wanted to work with researcher and help them see their research become reality. This internship had re-enforced this desire and made me realize that that is what I really want to do. I see testing as an excellent direction I would like my career to go especially if I am in a research field.