Debbie Woods chat - 10/24/96

Can you tell us more about what you manufacture and what it is used for?

My name is Debbie Wood and I work in the Manufacturing Division at NASA
Ames Research Center. Our Division makes models and prototypes that go in
the wind tunnels for testing. We also build equipment for space flight as
well as airborne experiments. My biography that is on the web is a little
outdated now since I have a new job. I recently became the Assistant
Division Chief for Manufacturing. I am reponsible for financial matters as
well as learning more about the Division's technical expertise. I also
help plan our direction and set operation policy. From a general
standpoint, that is what I do.

What type of models does your group build? And what happens to them?

My Division builds metal and non-metal models that can be as small as ones
that fit on your desk to those as large as 35 feet across. They are
eventually put into our wind tunnels here to test their airworthiness.
Companies like Boeing and McDonnel Douglas build aircraft to fly people in
only after the design is tested for how they will fly and react to air
currents and other aerodynamic qualities.

How much of your work then is for commercial companies like Boeing? Is a
lot of NASA research for commerical companies?

Yes, a significant amount of Ames Researh Center business is aimed at the
commercial sector. As you can see by our name, our game is research and we
publish findings and results for everyone's benefit. We often do joint
projects with Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, other branches of the governments
like the Army and the Department of Energy. It's been pretty interesting.

How big is the wind tunnel? Do all aircrafts get tested in it?

We have several wind tunnels; a 3 foot, a 7 foot, a 12 foot and a unitary.
We also have the largest wind tunnel in the United States which is 40 by
80 by 120 which test full scale models. There are other wind tunnels
across the nation so some aircraft would get tested elsewhere. I don't
know for sure, but I would think that any aircraft that is going to carry
people would be tested before they put it into use!

Do they test space shuttles in the wind tunnel? How do they make the wind
go that fast?

I really don't know if they test the space shuttles in the wind tunnels.
Shuttles go through their own battery of tests because they are for
spaceflight, not regular flight. We make space suits and other experiments
that go in the space shuttle in our Division. They make the wind go fast
in the wind tunnels using high speed engines and fan blades to direct the
current of air.

Do the other companies hire you or does NASA just do the testing anyway?

I believe that we just do some of the testing on our own. I know that the
commercial sector uses our wind tunnels quite a bit, so in that sense,
they hire us or at least we make it a joint effort.

How many times do they have to redo models after they test them? Do models
ever work and then something goes wrong with the real one?

Many times models are redone or remodeled and then put back in the wind
tunnel to retest a different design. I am not sure if there are any
"accidents" that we have heard of with passenger aircraft
that can be traced back to an inaccurate test. The tests that are run are
done with a lot of precision.

Where did you find such great computer support for your division?

If you are referring to the Internet capability, currently everyone at the
Center should be on it. We also have a great computer systems guy that
helps the Division stay current on the technology.

Are you happy with you job or do you with you went into engineering?

I am extremely happy with my job. It gives me a lot of variety and
interaction with people that I like. I am not sure that I would have been
happy as an engineer because I am an extrovert and like contact with
people to accomplish my job.

Do you think you learned most of what you use in your job now at work or
what part of your education was most important?

I learned much of my specialized skills at work, but my school work really
helped me focus in on my communication skills and my ability to negotiate
as welll as persuade people. I think that you will find that once you get
into the working world (and don't rush it) that many problems are created
by a lack of communication and can be resolved by just getting together
and exchanging ideas.

Can you work from home sometimes to be with your daughter?

I can. When I first had her, I stayed home for 4 months. I took a computer
home and communicated through email and financial systems from there by
modem. I am currently buying a laptop also for that purpose. 

Do you think that email and new technology makes it difficult for people
to have strong ocmmunication? Do you ever have a problem becasue yo don't
talk in person? Is most of you work email?

Email is a great tool to launch some ideas and start a discussion. It also
is extremely timely because people cannot always get together. I do think,
however, that resolve problems or develop news long lasting ideas that
face to face contact is always preferrable. My work does require a lot of
email on action items, but meetings occur frequently as well. If all I am
doing is resolving a simple issue, I really don't want to meet and would
rather send an email. On the otherhand, small meetings are extremely
valuable and productive.

How long have you been at NASA? Do you think you will stay there or would
you like to do something else?

I have been at NASA since Oct. 85, so that's 11 years. I did go elsewhere
in 1990 for one year and did not enjoy it as much. Working at NASA is like
working on a university campus. Everyone seems to know one another and it
feels like family in a lot of ways.

Did you ever think you wanted to go into radio and tv?

Actually, I was preparing myself to become a news anchor or something in
the advertising field. I have a minor in psychology...but I was not
willing to pay my dues in the industry with the high competition and the
migration of media people to the west because of our wonderful access to
nature and the nice weather. 

Did you ever consider moving so you could try a job in news or
advertising?

I did consider moving, however, even when I got out of college, my father
is on the older side and I didn't want to leave him alone. My mother died
when I was 10 and my younger sister was getting ready to go to Los Angeles
to go to UCLA at the time. I also was getting married. All signs pointed
to staying in California!

Who took care of you when your mom died?

Well, my dad did his best at finding us a housekeeper/babysitter that
would be semi live-in, but to no avail long term. We were latch key kids
and I took care of my little sister. Made her lunches, walked her to
school, came home and made dinner and called my dad at work to let him
know we were okay. We were 10 and 6 at the time, so my dad was very
worried.

What other kinds of jobs could you get now outside of NASA? Would you like
to?

I think I could get many management jobs outside of NASA as well as many
financial or business related positions. Right now, I have no desire to go
elsewhere because NASA offers me a lot of opportunities that I still think
I have not exhausted. Opportunities to learn new things, gain new
experience, and grow financially as well as professionally.

Did you ever want to play sports that only boys played?

 I am 33, so when I was in jr high, it was the late 1970s. I played
hardball on a coed team when little league was mainly for boys. Basketball
was also another one of my favorites. When my daughter gets old enough, I
would like to take karate with her if she shows any interest.

What other kinds of people do you work with - like the kinds of people who
build the models

I work with other financial folks, but I work primarily work with crafts
people that are trained in sheet metal fabrication, composites, heavy
metals, aluminums. They are very talented individuals that I am learning a
lot from in terms of the trades. With my background, you don't often get
to experience soldering or cutting different metals or smoothing surfaces.
These folks are specialists in their kind of art. I also interact with
upper management and other middle managers.

WE have to go now - but we want to know if you know Bernadette Luna. She
make the space suits.

I know Bernie very well. Our children go to daycare together. Her husband
is an engineer here and she and he do a lot of work with our folks in the
shops. Thanks for joining us for the chat.