Wed July 18, 2001 Expert profile at: http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/mendoza

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 3 - 16:05:26 ]
Welcome to the Centennial of Flight Webcast with Jack Boyd! Questions in the chatroom will be answered by Don Mendoza. Please read the expert's profiles prior to the event -- http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/aero/events/centennial/

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 1 - 14:03:27 ]
Use the button at left -- Watch the Video, to view the webcast and hear/see the answers to your questions. If you reached this room without that button, go to http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/aero/events/centennial/attend/ and click on the "Participate" button.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 2 - 14:04:03 ]
You may go ahead and place questions in the chatroom now to be answered during the webcast and webchat. PLEASE don't post test messages or repeats -- though you may not see your question, it is in the chatroom.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 11 - 10:14:03 ]
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[ DonMendoza/ARC - 15 - 10:18:02 ]
RE: [Marilyn] Mendoza, How did you get interested in your job?
I have had jobs in research that were very narrow, but my current job allows me to see the big picture and this is what attracted me to it. I feel like I can make more of an impact.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 16 - 10:21:21 ]
RE: [Jo] Do you anticipate any revolutionary new plane designs?
Yes, but not in the way most people think. Aircraft will probably look much like they do now and most of the revolutions will take place on the inside with avionics and propulsion systems. We may still see a supersonic cruiser, as well, but the driver here is economics, not necessarily technology.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 20 - 10:25:08 ]
RE: [JPL/Hal] We are here. JPL'ers 1st question: What is the current emphasis on airplane design?
The current emphasis on A/C design is in making them more reliable, safer, maintainable and available. It's basically an effort to reduce the cost of operating them over their life span. The current projects are driven by consumers, as opposed to what engineers and scientists would like to see.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 23 - 10:29:42 ]
RE: [LaRCSheryll] Mr. Mendoza, would you like to see your son follow in your footsteps?
I would feel really good about my son choosing a career in aviation, but more importantly I would like it if he maintained the level of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning he now has. Whether he applies this to biology, physics, literature, or art is a choice for him to make, and for me to support and encourage.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 24 - 10:31:04 ]
Remember, Jack Boyd was unable to be with us today. Though he is featured in the webcast, Don Mendoza is answering questions in the chatroom.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 29 - 10:34:49 ]
RE: [Jill/Dawn] What, if anything, would you do differently in your career? DFRC
I would keep abreast of all the current directions in science and technology so that I could apply them to what I like most, aeronautics. Many people, including myself, were caught in a downturn in fluid dynamical application to aeronautics. Knowing other areas such as information technology, nanotechnology and biology would have allowed me to integrate them into aeronautics.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 36 - 10:38:44 ]
RE: [LaRCLarry] Mendoza, How close to fruition is the morph wing technology?
The morph wing is currently working in small research studies, but its availability to a full size wing or A/C may be a ways off. We will probably see gradual steps in aerodynamic surfaces based on this research effort before we see a full up morphing wing.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 38 - 10:43:46 ]
For a cool full-color trading card about Jack Boyd to print up for your students -- see http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/aero/chats/cards/CC-boydj.pdf

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 39 - 10:43:49 ]
RE: [Rita] Don Mendoza/ARC What do you think the education community should be focusing on to ensure that all students (especially low income minorities )have an opportunity to compete in the science careers. Thanks
I think that educators should focus on the student's own curiosity and need for learning by showing them how everyday things are driven by science and technology. Showing them how they can control their surroundings and environment by using knowledge so that they feel a since of empowerment will foster their existing curiosity.

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 42 - 10:46:50 ]
RE: [JSCDenise] I was one of you Astroventure piloters, my students and I met you at NSTA St. Louis, and now I am at NEW 5-8. Astroventure helped prepare me for what I am experiencing here. I am looking forward to using Build a Planet this coming school year.
I will pass this on to Christina and Susan

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 43 - 10:48:31 ]
RE: [JSCDenise] Dr. Mendoza I don't understand how people view systems management as an obstacle. Is it because they feel as if they are being slowed down and are not seeing that you could be saving lives?
Yes, that is it. Unfortunately, many program mangers, engineers and scientists are driven by budgets and schedules that create an environment of shortcuts. Systems engineering is sometimes viewed as an obstacle to this shortcut, when in actuality it is a way to ensure that the best shortcut is taken.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 44 - 10:48:40 ]
Webcast participants -- what great questions you are submitting!! We are working on answering as many as we possibly can.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 45 - 10:51:05 ]
RE: [Olivia/ARC/NEW] Dr. Mendoza, Can you please tell me who Ames Research Center was named after? Is he a famous pilot, or engineer?
Ames Research Center is named after an engineer who, along with Charles Lindbergh, helped the US establish the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 46 - 10:52:20 ]
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[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 47 - 10:53:14 ]
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[ DonMendoza/ARC - 49 - 10:55:21 ]
RE: [LaRCDale] Mendoza, What do you see as safety concerns in the next generation of space vehicles?
The biggest concern is about autonomy. As space missions progress and become more complex and travel further, their dependence on "Mission Control" must decrease because of the time it takes for communication. Therefore, these systems will have to be able to think and act for themselves. With regard to human space travel, the effects of long term space travel on their motor and cognitive skills will have to be minimized.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 50 - 10:55:39 ]
For more info on how to participate in a webcast/webchat, go to: http://quest.nasa.gov/activities/webcasts/

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 53 - 10:58:13 ]
RE: [wende] Mr. Mendoza, what is it you want to teach at the university level?
I would like to teach engineering, math and physics.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 59 - 11:02:10 ]
RE: [LaRCNEWRural] Dr. Mendoza, Describe how it is decided what research would be viable for future study?
The organization that oversees an area such as space biology, propulsion, aircraft systems and so on puts out announcements of opportunity to the public. People then submit proposals that are judged by several panels of scientist, engineers, teachers, businessmen, and politicians to determine which proposals best meet the needs of the country.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 62 - 11:05:11 ]
RE: [JPL/Hal] Dr. Mendoza, what do you consider to be the most significant event in your career?
The most significant event in my career is meeting Mr. Jack Boyd. He is the best role model I have had, and has shown me many new perspectives on what it is to be a public servant, with respect to science.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 79 - 14:26:11 ]
RE: [ClubC] What would be the best advice that a teacher could give a student who has an interest/curiosity for aeronautics?
I would advise them to read on the subject, and recommend resources such as websites, films, museums, and other activities. Also, I would encourage them to try simple experiments in flight, and even provide them with a forum to share their experiences. Enlisting the help of other people such as pilots and engineers would also help the student's interests.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 80 - 14:32:02 ]
RE: [TerrySue/MSFC] Mr. Mendoza If scientists were the driving force in airplane design, rather than consumers, what differences in emphasis would we see?
I think you would see radical changes in the way A/C look and operate. Burt Routan is the best example of this kind of process. He was able to garner enough support to design and build some very different looking A/C such as the Voyager which flew nonstop around the world. Scientists and engineers like to ask "what if" questions, and try many new ideas but are limited by the amount of funding available.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 81 - 14:35:22 ]
RE: [Kristi] Do you anticipate any changes to funding research projects with the new president?
Absolutely, every Administration has its own priorities. It is somewhat early to tell, since most of President Bush's attention with respect to science and technology is with the ballistic defense system. I believe improving the National Air Transportation System may become a goal for this administration.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 82 - 14:43:26 ]
RE: [TimAmes] Don - I've heard several times in my visit here at Ames that NASA is moving to more consumer driven projects. Does this concern you? Is the customer always right?
It depends on who the "consumer" is. NASA does not operate like private industry, while they focus on their quarterly earnings and bottom line we focus on the future (decades in the future). Thus, the time scales are not quite compatible so it would concern me if we went in this direction, but I do not believe we have. We try to incorporate the private sector as much as possible via technology transfer, but it would not be in the country's best interest if we based our work on what products the customer was trying to ship this year. We provide technologies that are enabling, but perhaps may not reach the everyday consumer until years from now.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 83 - 14:47:56 ]
RE: [LaRCBill] With the development of the Small Aircraft Transportation System(SATS), should schools be adding/requiring aeronautics in the curriculum so student will be prepared for their future?
I would encourage schools to use everyday examples of aeronautics (the flight of birds, insects, the falling of leaves, tornadoes, bathtub vortices and on) to illustrate the usefulness, beauty and power of science and technology in our way of living. As for the Small Aircraft Transportation System(SATs), it may be a ways off before everyone has to learn how to fly.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 84 - 14:51:20 ]
RE: [TimAmes] Don, Do you think there is technology that should be being developed but is not because of the new more customer driven policies at NASA?
There are always going to be priorities set for R and D funding. It depends on the organization's mission as to how this gets accomplished. Unfortunately, there are not enough funds to sponsor all the R and D that we would like to do.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 85 - 14:55:12 ]
RE: [ClubC] What type of budget limitations and parameters are set aside for aircraft design? Is design a high priority item?
Design is a critical part of the A/C life cycle because it drives the cost of everything else (maintenance, operations, storage, and acquisition). Thus, much of the initial budget is set aside for this, but in the long run the maintenance and operations can include as much as 80% of the life cycle costs.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 86 - 14:57:19 ]
RE: [ChristineMSFCNEW] Mr. Mendoza, what do you think will be the next innovation in air flight before reaching the level of a Starship 2040?
I think self-repairing (or compensating) A/C surfaces will be the next innovation that the public will see, and many of the tragedies now experienced will be eliminated.

[ DonMendoza/ARC - 87 - 15:02:42 ]
RE: [daniames] don- what is the morph wing design and why is it efficient or effective?
The morphing wing is a wing that can adapt its shape to any flight condition. This makes it more efficient and effective than current wings because it can optimize its shape continuously and infinitely. Current wings can only change parts of their surface by using flaps, ailerons and other control surfaces while the majority of the wings' shape is not adjustable. Therefore most wings are designed for one optimum point, and any time the A/C operates out of this condition there is inefficiency.