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Lead Shuttle Systems Inspector
Who I am
My name is Jon Blitch and I live on the Space Coast in Titusville, Florida.
Every time there is a Shuttle launch scheduled, the town of Titusville
becomes a haven for tourists from all over the country. The shores of
the Indian River become dotted with tents, campers and motor homes and
the excitement can be felt all over the downtown area. I have lived here
all of my life and have had the good fortune to view many launches right
from my own back yard!
What I do
I am a Lead Shuttle Systems Inspector. I work for United Space Alliance,
a contractor at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. I have worked at the Space
Center for almost 19 years. I started out in 1979 as a Shuttle Systems Mechanic
and was responsible for the installation and repair of all facets of external
insulation on the Space Shuttles. Now, my job is to inspect the Thermal
Protection System (TPS). This requires not only performing intense inspections
to detect damages that result from reentry and landing but also those that
may have been incurred during everyday processing. It is important to make
sure that the Reusable Surface Insulation, or RSI, (Tiles, Blankets, FRSI,
Fillerbar, Thermal Barriers, and Gapfillers) is free of damages, installed
correctly, and in the proper locations. RSI is installed on each Orbiter
(Space Shuttle) as a means of protection from the incredible heat encountered
upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere. It keeps the underlying skin of the
Orbiters cool. Without it, the Shuttle would burn up during the reentry
phase of the mission. We have a saying out here that goes, "TPS, can't get
home without it." It's really true and that is why I inspect each element
veeerrry closely.
What I like most about my job
I love the fact that my job is diverse. It allows me to interface with
many different people on a daily basis. I not only inspect the work of
many technicians but also get to talk with the engineers who write the
procedures to which the techs are working. In addition to my inspections,
I, along with a team of people from other related systems, am required
to walk down the Launch Pad surface area and inside the Flame Trench to
ensure the absence of any debris which might harm the TPS during liftoff.
Since the Pads are situated on the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and
near the Atlantic Ocean, many different and interesting kinds of debris
and wildlife can be found.
I am also a member of the Offsite Recovery Crew, which means whenever
the Shuttle lands somewhere other than KSC, I have the opportunity to
travel to wherever it may be. So far, I have been to the Dryden Flight
Research Facility at Edward's Air Force Base in California (many times)
and White Sands, New Mexico. I think it is also incredible that I get
to be so close to, sometimes standing on, the Space Shuttle. Even after
almost 19 years of working on it, I still am in awe of it and what it
can do. Occasionally, I get to meet the astronauts as they tour the Orbiter
Processing Facilities. I have talked one on one with them about the mission
and about what it is like up there in space! It is also cool when dignitaries
and celebrities come through on tours. To name a few, we have seen Prince
Charles, Jacques Cousteau, Larry Bird, Leonard Nemoy (Spock), and, just
recently, I actually shook hands with Jim Carrey!
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