Chat with Chris Barreras
May 19, l998 - 10:00a.m. PDT

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 4 - 09:56:29 ]
Hi Rachael, Thanks for joining us here too! Chris should be on shortly. We all just got out of a meeting.

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 5 - 09:58:56 ]
The Aero Design Team Online chat is about to wrap up, and I expect that some of those folks will be joining us soon. You may begin to post questions here as soon as you're ready. Welcome!

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 7 - 10:02:08 ]
RE: [Cristian-students/MontgomeryHigh] Hello. Greetings from Montgomery High in South San Diego. We are eager to talk to Chris again.
Do you have any specific questions?

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 8 - 10:03:16 ]
RE: [Cristian-students/MontgomeryHigh] Hello. Greetings from Montgomery High in South San Diego. We are eager to talk to Chris again.
Hello Montgomery, How do read me?

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 10 - 10:04:15 ]
RE: [Linda/NASAQuest] Hi Rachael, Thanks for joining us here too! Chris should be on shortly. We all just got out of a meeting.
Hi Rachael, How do you read me?

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 11 - 10:04:33 ]
By the way Montgomery High, could you please send me (through email at lindac@quest.arc.nasa.gov) your mailing address? I'd like to send you some goodies to remember your participation in NeurOn. You've been a great contribution, and can consider yourselves our crew members!

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 15 - 10:07:28 ]
RE: [Luis-students/MontgomeryHigh] What were the result of the habitat experiments?
Do you mean the STS-90 Neurolab Habitat experiments or the Habitat design effort? Regarding the STS-90 habitats the experiments, we accomplished a lot and have more questions now than before. Generally speaking the experiments were a success but we did have a few problems as with all missions.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 16 - 10:09:24 ]
RE: [Edgar-students/MontgomeryHigh] We read you fine. how are you today?
Hi gang I am doing well and getting ready for this Holiday weekend. We are wrapping things up on Neurolab STS-90 and getting ready to transition into life science work on Space station.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 17 - 10:10:50 ]
RE: [Anthony-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] Hello my name is Anthony, and my first question is did you ever want to be in space
Hi Anthony -Patti Yes, I have always wanted to go to Space but I have not at this time or in the past. Perhaps in the distant future. Perhaps one of you will be a space traveler.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 18 - 10:11:26 ]
RE: [James-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] Hi my name is James. My first question is. Have you been in space before? If yes what is it like without gravity?
I have never been into space.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 25 - 10:17:03 ]
RE: [Romel-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] Hello my name is Romel. My question is what kind of rodents do you test?
Hi Romel We testing both Mice and Rats.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 27 - 10:18:05 ]
RE: [/Home-rachael] Hello.
Hi Rachael and welcome I am 39 years old.

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 28 - 10:18:40 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Did anyone chat with Liz?
Rachael, I thought you were there!

[ Rachael/Home-rachael - 30 - 10:19:30 ]
I was

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 29 - 10:19:26 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] How are you all?
Do you have a specific question for Chris Barreras?

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 31 - 10:20:00 ]
RE: [Carla-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] hello my name is Carla, I have a question to ask you how long did it take to work on the rodent hardware
Hi Carla The entire effort, not just the rodent cages, but also working on the support systems, took about 3 years. We used hardware that had been flown on shuttle missions before STS-90 so this helped us a lot.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 34 - 10:21:24 ]
RE: [Linda/NASAQuest] As you may recall, Chris was our expert in the Great Habitat Debate in which many of you submitted designs. Any new questions come up. I did here, Chris that a couple of classes are going to rework their designs to solve some of the issues of STS-90.
LC Who is reworking their designs?
[ Linda/NASAQuest - Chris, it was Tatem School (they have 5 designs online.) See: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/neuron/events/habitat/designs

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 37 - 10:23:24 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Sorry Linda i do not know what to ask do you want me to go?
Of course not! If you can, why don't you take a look at Chris' bio so you can understand what he does and can take advantage of his willingness to take from his busy schedule to join us.

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 39 - 10:24:28 ]
Oops, I forgot to give you the address for Chris' bio: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/neuron/team/barreras.html

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 38 - 10:23:24 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] How is it working at NASA Chris?
Hi Rachael Working here at NASA is very interesting. The team of people we have here is very experienced and well trained. Some of the hi-lights are being able to see the launches, talking with the Astronauts and Scientists and just being involved in the international space effort is very exciting.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 40 - 10:25:08 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Sorry Linda i do not know what to ask do you want me to go?
Rachael Don't go. Ask anything, don't be shy. To everyone out there, there is no such thing as a stupid question...

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 42 - 10:27:23 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Ok Linda Be Back
Great! I know that jumping into a project as it's beginning to wrap up is tough. Chris, maybe you could give us an idea of what's next for you.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 43 - 10:27:44 ]
RE: [James-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] Has there ever been a problem with a rocket or shuttle?
Hi James Yes, sadly to say, we have had problems. As explorers, we will have failures which will go with our successes. For your information, review the shuttle flights of early 1986. Check it out on the web or in your local library.

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 48 - 10:32:06 ]
James, Here's some starters on the web: http://www.shuttle.gov or http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/pao/factsheets/index.html#HIGHLIGHTS

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 44 - 10:29:03 ]
RE: [Anthony-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] What exactly is the STS-90 ?
Hi STS-90 is the mission number for a given shuttle flight. In Neurolab's case, we were given mission number 90 and STS stands for Space Transportation System mission 90.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 47 - 10:30:46 ]
RE: [Linda/NASAQuest] Great! I know that jumping into a project as it's beginning to wrap up is tough. Chris, maybe you could give us an idea of what's next for you.
Hi I plan on working as system engineer for the lifes science habitats on Space Station Freedom. To all, Who saw the movie contact?

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 49 - 10:33:37 ]
RE: [Romel-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] Did you ever work in a spaceshuttle? If yes what is it like?
Not exactly in the Shuttle itself. I have had the great experience of reviewing the shuttle exterior systems just recently for the first time while supporting the Neurolab mission. My role is supporting and advising the Kennedy Space Center technicians in getting the Shuttle ready.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 50 - 10:35:29 ]
RE: [Carla-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] Was it hard working on the STS-90
Hi Carla It was hard but I enjoyed it. When you work on something you enjoy and have a passion for then things go easier. My advice to you all is what ever you plan on doing in the future for careers, make sure you will enjoy it and have a passion for it.

[ Rachael/Home-rachael - 53 - 10:37:56 ]
Thank you Linda for telling me that

[ Rachael/Home-rachael - 54 - 10:39:13 ]
Hello James

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 55 - 10:39:24 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Hey I'm Back
Cool! Lot of students designed animal habitats for space and Chris commented on them. He knows a lot about the habitats that actually flew!

[ Rachael/Home-rachael - 57 - 10:41:03 ]
:o)

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 58 - 10:41:32 ]
RE: [James-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] What is the STS-90's job or mission?
The mission was an experiment to study the effects of microgravity on the neurological systems and organs of mammals, insects, and fish. These results will help scientists at Ames and other places in the world solve human neurology space flight problems and possibly neurological diseases we have on earth.

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 59 - 10:43:51 ]
RE: [Anthony-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] What does it feel like working for a major company like NASA ?
I enjoy it. I look forward everyday to the challenges of Manned space flight. What kind of science projects are you working at your school?

[ Rachael/Home-rachael - 61 - 10:44:23 ]
Did you all see to the moon last night?

[ Rachael/Home-rachael - 62 - 10:45:34 ]
Landa I could see the moon at 8:40am Monday

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 63 - 10:45:42 ]
RE: [Romel-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] Did you ever want to be an astronaut?
Hi Romel Yes very much so... however I do not think its in my future. but we will see.... Perhaps you can be an astronaut. What do you think?

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 64 - 10:46:49 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Did you all see to the moon last night?
No I did not Rachael. What phase was it in? I am glad you saw it. What was the recent discovery on the moon?

[ Rachael/Home-rachael - 67 - 10:49:20 ]
It was the last quarter:)

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 68 - 10:49:39 ]
RE: [Romel-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] That would be cool. Me and James Have to go now. Bye
Good by and take care. As my favorite Vulcan says Live long and prosper

[ Rachael/Home-rachael - 69 - 10:50:09 ]
Ice on The Moon>

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 70 - 10:50:23 ]
RE: [Anthony-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] This past week our class went to the Challenger Space center. It was very neat , it felt like the real thing.
Where is the Challenger Space Center? What did you do?

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 71 - 10:50:27 ]
RE: [Romel-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] That would be cool. Me and James Have to go now. Bye
Bye, glad you could join us!

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 72 - 10:51:34 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Ice on The Moon>
Good Rachael Perhaps you will one day go to the moon. It is being discussed at NASA headquaters to have a moon colony. What do you think?

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 75 - 10:53:13 ]
RE: [Linda/NASAQuest] We're going to wrap up here in about 10 minutes, so be sure to get your questions to Chris posted so he has a chance to answer them.
Get the questions in....

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 78 - 10:55:36 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Landa will you be here the next chat ???????/
Sure will! The next chat is with BJ Navarro who works with Chris. Be sure to check the all day schedules today and tomorrow for the countdown to Space Day chats, and see BJ's bio at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/neuron/team/navarro.html

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 79 - 10:56:00 ]
RE: [AnthonyCarla-Patti/DiscoveryCharterSchool] well me and my partner have to go now . bye .
Thanks for joining us!

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 80 - 10:56:24 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] I think i want to live on the moon one day do you?
Yes I would like to try it. How would we generate oxygen? What kind of food do we take?

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 81 - 10:57:46 ]
RE: [Linda/NASAQuest] We're going to wrap up here in about 10 minutes, so be sure to get your questions to Chris posted so he has a chance to answer them.
Well LC I gotta go Thanks to you all for the CHAT

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC - 84 - 11:00:46 ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] Can you get oxygen from water?
Yes we can... The fish do it, why cant we.. Very good question... I have to go now but I will take one more

[ ChrisBarreras/ARC ]
RE: [Rachael/Home-rachael] dry food?
Yes, dry food is a good food item to take to the moon. We do not have to worry about refrigeration. I have to leave now... You take care in all you do and live long and prosper...

[ Rachael/Home-rachael ]
Bye !

[ rachael ]
thanx for today!

[ Linda/NASAQuest ]
Thanks Chris. This has been great. I want to wish you well on you Space Station Freedom work. Did you see the journal where Katie O'Toole called it the Tinkertoy Moon? Chau!