Space Team Online QuestChat

Date: November 3, 1999

Featuring: Jenny Lyons
Vehicle Manager
NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 5 - 09:38:31 ]
Today's chat will be MODERATED to help Jenny keep up with our questions. This means only a few questions will appear in the chat room at a time. More questions will be posted as Jenny answers those ahead of you. So please DON'T WORRY!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 6 - 09:39:28 ]
At the conclusion of today's chat, please share your thoughts with us using our online surveys at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats. We look forward to hearing from you!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 7 - 09:57:23 ]
Hello and welcome to today's Space Team Online chat with Jenny Lyons from NASA Kennedy Space Center! Jenny Lyons follows the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery through all of its ground testing and check out procedures. She also directs all the people, vehicles and activities on the runway after the Orbiter lands.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 8 - 09:57:43 ]
And now, here is Jenny Lyons to answer your questions.

[ MichelleMock/CoronaCA - 10 - 09:58:04 ]
Hello Oran and Jenny! I am posting my questions and student questions in advance because I have to leave by 10:30 to teach Spanish classes. Thank you in advance for chatting with everyone today! My students LOVE these chats even when they cant participate live due to conflicting schedules!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 12 - 09:58:55 ]
RE: [Shirle/Oregon] Good Morning from Oregon.
Welcome, Shirle. We're glad you could join us today.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 16 - 10:05:12 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] Hello Mrs. Lyons. Greetings from Sombor, Yugoslavia. To start with, I would like to know how you manage to cope with such a responsibility. The safety of the crew, and of the Shuttle worth millions of dollars depends on you. Are you allowed to select your own maintenance team, and do you feel a special bond with people you work with, sharing such a responsibility?
Peter, No, I don't select the specific team members for operations- they are usually assigned by other contractors and managers. But I don't bear all that worry and responsibility on my shoulders alone. The Shuttle team here at KSC includes thousands of very capable, competent folks who are specially trained to perform technical tasks. Everyone works together as a team, and everyone has safety first and foremost on their mind...

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 20 - 10:10:39 ]
RE: [Jordan] What kind of tiles are on the orbiters and what are they made of and what is their purpose?
Jordan, There are actually several types of tiles made of different materials. The one common component is silicon (or glass). Some tiles have ground silicon material mixed with other heat resistant; some tiles are actually more like blankets, with silicon threads running through them. Either way, the tiles and blankets (called the Thermal Protection System or TPS) protect the Orbiter from the extremely high temperatures encountered during reentry into the atmosphere.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 22 - 10:13:27 ]
RE: [Shirle/Oregon] With the launch of Discovery a month away is how does your workload change, increase, the same...?
Shirley, The workload increases- The nearer we get to launch, the busier (and more excited!) we get. You know how it is: No matter how much you plan and prepare, you are always busiest the night before you leave on a big trip! We have many final checks and double checks and preparations to complete right up until the very end.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 25 - 10:18:06 ]
RE: [AbuMohamed] You say that the critical moment is the landing for the spacecraft so what is the situation if the system of tires is not working automatically or manually? And do you have any solutions for this?
Having a problem with the tires really IS a problem! We monitor them carefully using remote sensors during the entire mission to make sure they maintain the correct pressure. If they do happen to lose pressure, we would probably plan to land out at Edwards AFB in California- they have more/bigger runways, which leaves more room for error. If we had a surprise problem with a tire blowing during landing, the astronaut pilot and commander are trained to do their very best to control the Orbiter and bring it safely to a stop. We try to practice and plan for as many contingencies as we can...

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 28 - 10:21:20 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] Once a shuttle goes up, is your work over until it lands or do you play an active role during the mission in the MCC?
Once a Shuttle launches, we breathe a sigh of relief- but we will still be plenty busy getting ready for landing in just a few days. Plus we monitor the Orbiter's operations in orbit from here to track what, if any, problems are being encountered in space. What's more, just because one Orbiter is up in space, don't forget that there are still 3 other Orbiters getting ready to fly!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 31 - 10:25:36 ]
RE: [MatthewandBrittany] Hello from Elkin Elementary in Elkin, North Carolina. What kind of fuel is used in the rockets and how many gallons are loaded each time?
Mathew and Brittany, The fuel we use in the Space Shuttle Main Engines is liquid hydrogen- about 383,000 gallons of it. When ignited with the liquid oxygen (about 143,000 gallons), it powers the 3 big engines-

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 32 - 10:27:01 ]
RE: [MrsCaison] Did all of these thousands of tests and the length of time to get the orbiter ready before another flight come after the Challenger accident or were more safety tests included afterward?
Yes, there was a significant increase in the number and complexity of the tests we do on the ground after the Challenger accident. Most of this came as the result of the recommendations of the Rogers Commission.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 33 - 10:29:20 ]
RE: [Shirle/Oregon] On landing day do you have shifts of people that deal with the landing or is one group involved from start to finish?
On landing day, we generally plan to work at least a 10 hour day with all the same team members. If we have extra work or run into any complications, we have a back-up crew that is standing by to relieve us after 12 hours. We have work rules that prohibit us from working any longer than that on a given day- Also a recommendation from the Rogers Commission...

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 35 - 10:30:54 ]
RE: [Sean] How much space is inside the shuttle for the scientists to move around?
Not much! I'd say it's about the same size as your average bathroom... But there is no floor or ceiling in space, so it seems bigger (or so the astronauts say...)

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 36 - 10:32:35 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] Have you ever encountered a problem upon landing that made it a risk to be around the Orbiter?
Yes- The Orbiter sometimes leaks toxic gases right after landing. We have special "sniffers" to detect when it does, and if it does, we either wait until all that gas is vented and/or we'll configure valves to try to stop the leak.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 39 - 10:34:45 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] The students at St. Catherine of Alexandria in Riverside, CA want to know if you speak Spanish because they know that there are many Spanish speaking people in Florida. If yes, when did you learn it and was it hard for you?
I'm sorry, but I don't speak Spanish. And yes, there are many, many Spanish speaking people here in Florida! In fact, lots of people at KSC speak it as their first language-

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 40 - 10:36:25 ]
RE: [MaryAnnBrittany] What was the most serious damage you ever had to replace and how long did it take?
This wiring damage we are fixing now has been tedious. Not really complicated, just time-consuming... Some repairs take minutes, some hours, some days, some weeks... It really depends.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 43 - 10:39:38 ]
RE: [Nathan] Can you switch to different types of engines for different purposes or are all the engines alike?
On the Shuttle, we only can only use one type of engine, specially designed for this purpose. The shuttle engines are the only ones that are classified as "man-rated," meaning that they can be used to carry humans. We do have several of them with different serial numbers, and we can switch back and forth between these.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 44 - 10:42:03 ]
RE: [Shirle/Oregon] After the landing you have to wait for the dangerous gasses to dissapate, do you have special sensors on the vans or does someone have to "brave the elements" and go out and take readings?
We have special sensors mounted on poles, and the people who use them wear special protective suits and use breathing apparatus. They verify everything is safe before anybody else goes near the Orbiter. maybe you've seen them on NASA Select-

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 47 - 10:43:27 ]
RE: [AbuMohamed] Why you do not have a system in your spacecraft like in the French aircraft Mage in Departure and landing system?
I'm not familiar with the "Mage"- Maybe you can tell me more about what it's systems can do?

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 49 - 10:45:29 ]
RE: [MeganG] How many people usually go on the space shuttle on each trip?
Megan, Anywhere from 5 to 8 astronauts travel into space in the Orbiter. How many people go depends on the duration of the mission and how much work there is to do up there!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 50 - 10:49:17 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] How do you prevent germs,bacteria etc from entering the Orbiter?
Any time anybody on the ground goes into the crew compartment on the Orbiter, we wear ultra-clean, lint free suits called "bunny suits." You can only wear these one day before they are sent off to be cleaned again. No food, drink, jewelry, makeup or perfume is allowed to be worn inside the Orbiter. And there are special purge air systems that continually cycle cool, dry air throughout the Orbiter. Even still, I don't suppose we can ever totally prevent germs from getting in there...

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 54 - 10:53:09 ]
RE: [JoyLynne] How many hours in a day do you work when you are getting the shuttle ready for a launch?
I work fairly normal days, if I can at all help it. Generally from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sometimes I'm here later than that or earlier than that- particularly around launch or landing. (Launches and landings often happen in the middle of the night, and then you can't help but work weird hours.) I have a 1 1/2 year old little girl, and I like to spend as much time at home with her as possible!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 55 - 10:55:16 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] What is the cost of a launch?
Geez- I'm not sure. The annual budget for the Shuttle Program is somewhere around $3 billion dollars, I think. Say we launch 6-8 times a year... Can you do the math?

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 58 - 10:57:00 ]
RE: [Sean] What kind of precaution or checklist do you have to make certain everything is there?
Sean, We have many thousands of written procedures we keep in 3-ring binders that we use to make sure we verify every single detail. Everybody is expected to double check their sections...

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 102 - 11:14:19 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Where was Discovery during hurricanes Floyd and Irene? Did you worry about it?
Discovery was parked safely inside a hangar called an Orbiter Processing Facility (or OPF) during both of these hurricanes this summer. We had closed and/or covered all the access doors into the Orbiter and had sealed up and sand-bagged the building. We did the same for the other Orbiters. And yet we were all still a little worried- We are so grateful that we did not have really significant damage at KSC. A few buildings and equipment required some repair, but there was no damage to any flight hardware.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 103 - 11:17:28 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] How difficult is it for a woman to advance in a field like aerospace?
It's like anything else- There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it! There are many, many successful women who work in this field, and many of them work for NASA. Here at KSC, there are hundreds of women engineers doing lots of different, exciting work-

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 104 - 11:19:58 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part has to be watching a launch. It takes a real team effort to get to that milestone, and there is such a feeling of pride among everyone when you see a shuttle lift-off!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 105 - 11:21:47 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Do you work for NASA directly or are you a contractor?
I work directly for NASA. That puts me in the minority. Most of the ~15,000 people that work at KSC are contractors. We are all still part of the same team!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 106 - 11:26:32 ]
RE: [Shirle/Oregon] In 1997 sts-94 flew a reflight of 83. It only took 3 months to get ready for that. Will it ever be possible for shuttles to fly in shorter periods of time?
Good question! We work very hard all the time to find ways to process Shuttle hardware more quickly with the same commitment to safety. That specific re-flight was unique in that we deferred several test requirements in order to make the schedule. We do not do that as a matter of course- There was a lot of careful planning invlolved to pull that off. We like to think that some day a 3 month turnaround will be "standard," but it's just not possible yet.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 107 - 11:32:06 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] When did you see your first shuttle launch? Your first shuttle landing? What did you think the first time?
The first Shuttle launch I saw was STS-51G; that was before Challenger. I was here in Florida on vacation and my Dad got a car pass for us to drive to the vistor viewing site to watch. I was thrilled! The first Shuttle landing I saw in person was STS-26, Discovery's first flight after the Challenger accident. Landings are spectacular, also! It is so impressive when you see this beautiful machine glide down to a landing after being in space just minutes ealrier-

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 108 - 11:36:03 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] How many launches and landings have you seen? Do you go to launches of other orbiters?
I guess I have seen dozens of launches and landings now- And each one is just as impressive as my first! I get goose bumps every time. There is certainly nothing "routine" about any of them. And, yes, I watch each and every one- Everybody here does.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 109 - 11:42:12 ]
RE: [Arturo] Jenny Lyons I'm working on a project on the moons of Jupiter I would like to know why havent scientist found more information on the moons of Jupiter like Leda, Ananke, Elara and others.
I couldn't say specifically why there isn't more information on the moons you are studying- But I can say that NASA continues to design, build and launch great space observatories that make new, exciting discoveries each day! Hubble Space Telescope, for example, is rewriting text books and answering many questions about our universe. Perhaps it will soon provide more information on other far-away objects, like the moons of Jupiter!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 111 - 09:02:53 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Does everybody at KSC stop their work to watch a launch?
Yes- Every time!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 112 - 09:07:33 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Do you have to have a high security clearance to do what you do? Do you have to wear a badge?
Yes, I have security clearances. Everybody who works at KSC has some level of background check. And everyone who works at KSC wears a badge. There is so much valuable hardware and equipment here that it is important to maintain security.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 113 - 05:47:23 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] How long did it take you to get to your present level at NASA. What was your first job at NASA?
I hired on with NASA in Spring 1988 as an Operations Engineer (a specific type of Industrial Engineer). I was selected for the NVM position in 1994.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 114 - 05:54:01 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] My students want to know if they could meet you if they went to KSC.
It's possible! It depends when they were visiting...

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 115 - 06:01:54 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Are there many women at NASA in positions like yours?
Yes, there are many women in many exciting jobs here. There isn't any job that a women can't do!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 116 - 06:02:33 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Do you like chatting with students?
Absolutely! I really enjoy it!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 117 - 06:08:40 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] What hours do you normally work? How many hours do you work at a time during landing and launches?
I generally work 8 hours a day, but I work longer hours at launch and landing. We have restrictions that don't let us work longer than 12 hours in a single day, so I never work longer than that.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 118 - 06:15:05 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Do you have children? If not, would you plan to keep working if you did have children?
My husband and I have a 20 month old daughter who keeps us very busy! We have a wonderful babysitter who keeps her during the day, which makes it easier for us to leave her when we come to work.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 119 - 06:16:51 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] What does your husband do at NASA?
My husband, Doug, is a Shuttle Test Director. He leads the Shuttle countdown team for Shuttle launches, which is a very fun job!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 120 - 06:21:32 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Is there anything about your job that you would like students to know that they did not specifically ask? Your job sounds pretty complicated to them and they are not sure what to ask.
My job is not too complicated after you do it for a while! It's just like moving to a new class at school- It can be all strange and new at first, but soon it becomes very familiar.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 121 - 06:31:54 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Are you involved in the decisions to cancel a launch? Why do launches get cancelled?
No, I'm not involved in those types of decisions. My husband Doug, is- You might ask him!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 122 - 06:59:08 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] How many missions has Discovery flown? Where is it now? When does it fly again?
Discovery has flown in space 26 times. It is currently being integrated with the Solid Rocket Boosters (or SRBs)and External Tank (or ET) in the Vehicle Assembly Building. It will go to the Launch Pad the weekend of November 13 and will (hopefully!) launch on December 6.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 123 - 07:02:12 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Is your job hard?
My job isn't hard, but it is challenging! It have think all the time and work with lots of other people.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 124 - 07:03:55 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Did you know John Glenn?
I have not met John Glenn personnally. I have ssen him in person and, again, my husband Doug has met him several times.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 125 - 07:07:16 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] From Patrick Peck (8th grade) What would the chances of a student from my school be for getting to become an astronaut? Did you ever want to be an astronaut?
Your chances of being an astronaut at this time are not good. Being an astronaut requires a LOT of technical (college level and beyond-) training and education. It also requires adult-level strength and stamina. That isn't to say that in the not-too-distant future you wouldn't be an excellent candidate! Ask me again in 10 years!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 126 - 07:08:22 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Do people listen to you when you tell them what to do?
People tend to do what you'd like them to do more often when you ask them, rather than tell them.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 127 - 07:09:31 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] How many people do you supervise?
I don't directly supervise anyone right now- I'm in a kind of "cross-cutting" position.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 128 - 07:12:50 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] Why do the engines need to be replaced after every launch?
The engines are not necessarily replaced every flight, but they are refurbished every flight- this includes inspections and cleaning. Sometimes the refurbishment takes longer than it takes to just install a different engine of the same type. In this case the engines are changed around.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 129 - 07:14:45 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] Have you ever wanted to go up in the shuttle yourself, and if so, what stopped you?
Every now and then I think it would neat to fly in space. It must be such a thrill! But I find a lot of satisfaction in working here on the ground to support others doing that-

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 130 - 07:16:53 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] Will the new vehicle, planned to replace the Space Shuttle be easier to maintain, and thus take less time to prepare it between flights?
Bingo! You are absolutely right on- One of the main drivers of the new designs for the next generation Shuttle is to make it less complex to process on the ground, thereby allowing it to spend more time in space!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 131 - 07:18:12 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] Here's a question I have never asked anyone and come to think of it, it is pretty interesting. What made you come to this chat?Surely you are very busy so what motivated you to take time and do this?
I love talking with students of all ages about NASA and KSC. If it is at all possible I make time to do it- I consider it an important part of my job!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 132 - 07:18:54 ]
RE: [Peter/HighSchool] Mrs. Lyons, as I often say, People like you are truly an inspiration to young people like myself. I hope you realize what a great contribution you are making to our personal development, and thus the development of the future, and just how grateful we are. So, goodbye and once again thank you.
You are every kind- Thank YOU!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 133 - 07:21:10 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] If the shuttle had to land at a different site like Edwards Air Force base after a mission, or in Spain or other place before going into orbit,would you travel with the team to those locations?
Yes. Before each mission people are designated to be on the team that would deploy to Spain (or wherever)to retrieve the Shuttle and bring it back home. It would be a unique operation, requiring lots of specialized and people and equipment to handle such a task.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 134 - 07:22:13 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Have you ever been to Spain and seen those landing sites?
I have not traveled overseas, but others in my group have. I have been many times to Edwards AFB before, during and after landings there.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 135 - 07:24:13 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Is writing a big part of your job?
Writing (and writing well!) are a critical element in any job here. I write every single day- sometimes a lot, sometimes a little, but every day. It's also important to be able to speak and communicate well. And it's always important to be able to work with others.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 136 - 07:25:31 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Do you know Mike Cianilli and Brandt Secosh?
I do not believe I have met Mike, but I do know Brandt! He is very nice and very committed to this program and many others!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 137 - 07:28:43 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] What was your favorite books to read when you were in elementary school? Did you read a lot?
I have always loved to read! When I was in elementary school, I read the Hardy Boys mystery books, anything by E.B. White (Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, etc.), books by Judy Blume, the Black Stallion series... Gosh, I can't remeber them all! Reading brings a lifetime of pleasure and learning!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 138 - 07:30:25 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Do you supervise people like the ones who specialize in things like the shuttle windshield? Do you have meetings with those people?
I don't supervise these poeple, but I meet with experts like this each day (depending on the latest "problem area")to work out detailed plans and solutions to problems. good question-

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 139 - 07:34:40 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] What is the best way to prepare for a career in your field when you are young?
It's very important to do well in school- especially in math, although reading and writing are also important! Since you must have a technical degree in science or engineering, you need to make good enough grades to be accepted into a college or university. Work hard at your school assignments from the get go- Good grades in Elementary School usually lead to good grades in High School, which can allow you to take Advanced Palcement classes in High Shool, which are helpful when applying to colleges and universities.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 140 - 07:45:26 ]
RE: [MichelleMock/CoronaCA] Do you have to go to a lot of meetings? Do you like meetings?
I do go to a lot of meetings. Meetings can be very, very useful. But too many meetings can be a drag...

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 141 - 07:48:39 ]
RE: [BrittanyMaryAnnJordan] How long is the space shuttle?
The Space Shuttle Orbiter is 122 feet long. It's about the same size as a DC-9 airplane.

Oran/NASAChatHost - 56 - 10:56:19 ]
We will now be ending our chat with Jenny Lyons from NASA Kennedy Space Center.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 57 - 10:56:56 ]
We would like to thank everyone for joining us today. Please be sure to share your thoughts about today's chat with us at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 60 - 10:58:48 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Our very special thanks to Jenny Lyons for joining us today, and sharing her career experience and knowledge about the space shuttle and U.S. space program. Thank you , Jenny!
It's been my pleasure!

[ Shirle/Oregon - 61 - 10:59:06 ]
Jenny, thank you. This was fun.