Meet: Jenny Lyons
Vehicle Manager
NASA Kennedy Space Center
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Who I Am
My name is Jenny Lyons and I am the NASA Vehicle Manager
for the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery. I follow this Orbiter through
all of its ground testing and checkout at Kennedy Space Center and assure
that, once we get to launch countdown, it's ready to fly. I am also a
NASA Convoy Commander for Landing. I direct all the people, vehicles and
activities on the runway after the Orbiter lands.
What I Do
After an Orbiter returns from space, it takes months
of work to get it prepared for its next flight. The Orbiter spends anywhere
from 2 to 6 months in a special hangar called an Orbiter Processing Facility
(or OPF) where it undergoes thousands of tests to verify that all of its
hydraulic, electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and communications
systems operate properly. Plus, we check all of the equipment that provide
power, air, water, and cooling for the astronauts. We unload any hardware
that was used for the previous mission's payload, and install the equipment
required for the next mission.
After each flight, we change out the 3 Space Shuttle
Main Engines for 3 newly refurbished ones and repair any tile on the exterior
of the Orbiter. It takes hundreds of people to do all of this work, and
I help to coordinate the activities so that everything gets accomplished
on schedule, with as few conflicts as possible.
An Integrated Space Shuttle
Once the Orbiter has been certified ready to fly its
next mission, it's attached to the two white solid Rocket Boosters (or
SRBs) and a huge, orange External Tank (or ET). Now it is called an integrated
Space Shuttle. The Space Shuttle undergoes additional testing once it
gets to the Launch Pad before it is loaded with fuel and supplies for
the astronauts. All of this takes about 1 month. Then, and only then,
is the Space Shuttle ready to fly.
To see a Space Shuttle launch in person is a real
thrill; especially when you have been involved in so many months of preparation!
But there's still work to do to prepare for landing...
The Whole Process Begins Again
On landing day, I ride in the NASA Convoy Command
Vehicle (or NCC Van). It's a big, silver Airstream Van with the NASA emblem
on the side and the whirly- gigs on the roof. We are the first people
to meet the Orbiter (and the astronauts) after it lands. We have lots
of people and equipment on the runway to ensure that the Orbiter is safe
to be around. Then we help the astronauts out of the Orbiter and tow the
Orbiter back to the OPF. And the whole process begins again.
My Career Journey
I performed best in my science and math classes throughout
high school; so, it seemed logical that I study engineering in college.
When I began my college career at Virginia Tech, my interest was naturally
drawn to the aerospace field. This came as no surprise since I had always
been fascinated by airplanes, space flight, and astronomy. When the time
came to select a major, it was not a struggle for me to decide as it was
for many of my friends. I chose aerospace and ocean engineering. During
the summers of my junior and senior year, I worked for the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers and Naval Air Systems Command. I remember thinking that there
was a BIG difference between going to school and working.
After college, I was hired by Grumman Aerospace. But
I was holding out for the opportunity to do what I really wanted: to work
for NASA. I had sent in several applications to the Kennedy Space Center,
but I finally got the phone call I had been waiting for in 1988. I've
been working here ever since. Since I started work here, I have had the
chance to learn thousands of new things, meet hundreds of wonderful people,
and I've earned two master's degrees (from the Florida Institute of Technology
and the University of Central Florida). And now I know for a fact that
there is not such a big difference between going to school and working
after all.
Personal Information
My husband, Doug (who also works for NASA), and I love being near the
water; so Florida is perfect for us. We enjoy boating, scuba diving, fishing,
water skiing, and going to the beach.
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