Andrea/NASA/ChatHost: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 9:59AM PDT (-0700 GMT). .
. [45 ] This morning we welcome (once again) Cecilia Wigley, a System
Safety, Reliability, and Quality Assurance Lead. She has responsibility
to make sure that everything sent up is safe, and that the equipment will
not cause any injury or illness to any of the crew members, or possibly
damage the shuttle or hardware experiments. She also makes sure that all
of the designs and hardware meet the requirements of anything that flies.
In the case of this mission (Shuttle/Mir), she deals with NASA and Russian
qualifications. When engineering has questions about safety issues, hardware,
design considerations, and questions about what types of materials to
use, she helps them interpret the requirements.
Lindsey/Hawaii: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 9:59AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [46
] Hello, is the WebChat still happening? Duncan Atchison/NASA: . . . .
Wed, Dec 18, 9:59AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [47 ] Frank - thanks for your
time, we look forward to hearing more about the wheat seeds once you get
them down and analyzed.
Andrea/NASA/ChatHost: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:01AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [48 ] Welcome Lindsay - I think Cecilia is already online.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:02AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [49
] Yes, I'm here. Any questions?
Andrea/NASA/ChatHost: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:02AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [50 ] Cecilia - are you still with us?
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:02AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [51 ] J. Letwinch,
Tatem School, Haddonfield, NJ Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:02AM
PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [52 ] Yes, I'm still with you.
Duncan Atchison/SMORE: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:03AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [53 ] Cecilia - do they allow the astronauts to open up the SVET and
touch the plants, or is that done within a glovebox?
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:04AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [54 ] What kind
of job did you have right after you finished college?- Kyle/Tatem
Duncan Atchison/SMORE: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:05AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [55 ] Cecilia - do they allow the astronauts to open up the SVET and
touch the plants, or is that done within a glovebox?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:05AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [56
] Yes, the astronauts have to open up the SVET in order to harvest the
plants. For the fixation activities the plants are then placed in a plastic
transfer bag and taken to the glovebox where they are placed in the fixatives.
Duncan: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:07AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [57 ] Are
there any viruses or molds or mildews that harm the plants, and could
also infect the crew possibly?
Karen/TJMS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:08AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [58 ]
Is your job difficult?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:11AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [59
] I don't think there are any viruses that could harm the plants but mold
and other things that can grow in a moist environment are a concern for
the scientists. That is one of the reasons the modules that the plants
are grown in are brought back to Earth and microbiological tests are run
to determine if there was anything that could have harmed the plants.
We don't have any concerns about anything that might harm the plants infecting
the crew.
Karen/TJMS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:13AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [60 ]
What usually causes the scientists to get sick in space?
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:14AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [61 ] Andy/Tatem:
Is there a specific part of the shuttle that you are responsible for?
Sr.Dianne/ICS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:14AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [62
] Are the plants surrounded by thick glass, and what kind of lighting
are the scientists using, please?
Lindsey/Hawaii: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:16AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [63
] What was the problem with the sticky door in the last flight?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:16AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [64
] Karen - The astronauts get sick sometimes during the first couple of
days in orbit. It's a type of motion sickness that's related to your body
not getting the normal cues that tells you whether your standing, sitting,
laying down, etc. Those astronauts that do get Space Motion Sickness adapt
in the first couple of days and then generally don't have any more problems.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:17AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [65
] Andy/Tatem - I am responsible for the experiment hardware that we put
on the shuttle to support the science experiments.
Sr.Dianne/ICS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:18AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [66
] Do you know if the scientists (and which ones) at the KSC are working
in conjunction with the wheat growing on Mir?
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:19AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [67 ] Mackenzie/Tatem:
What are some of the plants that have been grown in space?
Mercedes: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:19AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [68 ] Hi
Cecilia, are you also responsible for checking the hardware for experiments
that include animals? If so are there special safety requirements that
you need to follow?
Sr.Dianne/ICS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:19AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [69
] Which University contributed the wheat growing on Mir, please?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:19AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [70
] SR. Dianne - We try to avoid the use of glass in space because it is
a shatterable material and is very hazardous to the astronauts. Instead
we use plastics like Lexan. I'm not sure as to exactly what kind of lighting
the scientists are using - I think it's a type of flourescent light.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:21AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [71
] Lindsay - I haven't heard any results on the investigation into the
sticky door. Sorry I can't answer that one for you.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:23AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [72
] SR Dianne - The scientists that we are working with for the wheat growing
on Mir are located in Utah, Dr. Salisbury who was on the chat earlier,
and their counterparts in Russia.
Sr.Dianne/ICS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:23AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [73
] Lindsay, what kind of lovely temperatures are you having today? We're
in the low 40s (Fah) in New Jersey. Where are the rest from? (States)
..Cecilia, NASA in DC? or Texas?
Karen/TJMS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:24AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [74 ]
Where do most safety requirements come from?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:26AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [75
] Mackenzie/Tatem - This is another question that I can't really answer.
I don't work in the science area and the only plants that I have worked
with on experiments in space are the dwarf wheat that we are now growing
and Brassica rapa which we will be using for a flight in 1997.
Lindsey/Hawaii: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:26AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [76
] We are on the Big Island at about 1000 ft. It is 60 F right now. : .
. . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:26AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [77 ] Tatem Elem. School-4th
grade-Haddonfield, NJ, 10 miles east of Phila. Whole Class/Tatem: What
are the requirements for keeping lab animals safe?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:28AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [78
] Mercedes - Yes, I do work with hardware that supports animals in space.
Some of our concerns there are containment of odors, waste, and making
sure the animals do not have any diseases that they could transmit to
the astronauts.
Sr.Dianne/ICS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:28AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [79
] Welcome, Tatem Elem. School-4th grade-Haddonfield, NJ! I was just stationed
in your area (actually in Cherry Hill, NJ) about 6 years ago. Wonderful
area, Haddonfield! as is Cherry Hill!
Karen/TJMS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:29AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [80 ]
How do you make sure that the animals will not cause the scientists to
get sick?
Sr.Dianne/ICS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:29AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [81
] Do many of the animals get very sick reactions to Space? and doesn't
this complicate things? Can you explain?
Lindsey/Hawaii: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:30AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [82
] My teacher's brother-in-law, Carlos Noriega, will be on STS-84. Can
you tell us anything about that mission.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:31AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [83
] Sr. Dianne - Utah State University
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:32AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [84
] I'm in California. The weather is sunny and clear with temps in the
50s to 60s.
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:32AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [85 ] Eddie/Tatem:
Are you working on any experiments designed for the space station?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:33AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [86
] Karen - the safety requirements are developed for the space environment
by specialists at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Sr.Dianne/ICS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:33AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [87
] Thank you all very much! This was a good experience. I hope to "see"
some of you again! I wish you great success, Cecilia! Have a very Happy
Christmas and a Blessed New Year, Everyone!
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:35AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [88
] Tatem - They need to be provided with life support - basically food,
water, temperature control, and an environment in which they are comfortable.
We also have to provide for a way to control/dispose of any waste that
they produce.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:37AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [89
] Karen - The animals are given a health check before they are selected
for flight to make sure they are healthy.
Karen/TJMS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:37AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [90 ]
What is the hardest part of your job?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:39AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [91
] SR. Dianne - The animals seem to adapt very well to space. When they
come back from space they are checked by a vet to make sure they are still
healthy.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:42AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [92
] Lindsey - STS-84 is another Mir mission. Right now the launch is scheduled
for May. Ames Research Center, where I work, will be sending up hardware
to support some plant experiments and a circadian rhythm experiment using
beetles. We will also be bringing back some hardware that has been on
Mir for several months gathering information on the radiation environment
inside Mir. As with most of our previous missions STS-84 will also deliver
a new astronaut to Mir and return home the astronaut that went up in January
1997 on STS-81.
live oak: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:43AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [93 ] Cecilia,
I read your biography very interesting! How do you like traveling away
from your family? How many times have you been on the internet?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:44AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [94
] Eddie/Tatum - I am not currently working on any space station projects
for the new station. There are other people here at Ames that are working
on those projects. I will probably work on space station projects in a
few of years when it becomes operational.
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:46AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [95 ] Tatem: Ms.
Wigley, our class appreciated being able to "chat" with you. Thank you.
Happy Holidays!
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:47AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [96
] Karen - the hardest part of my job is probably the fast pace. I work
multiple shuttle missions at any one time and there is always a report,
analysis, or test going on all the time that requires my participation.
But, that is also what I like most about my job - the variety and the
pace of the work. No two days are ever the same and it is always interesting.
Lindsey/Hawaii: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:49AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [98
] Do you know if taro has ever been grown in space?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:50AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [99
] Live Oak - Good Morning! Traveling away from my family is one of the
down sides of my job but sometimes my family gets to benefit from it as
well. For example my daughter has been to two landing at Edwards Air Force
Base, she has traveled to Florida with me where she was able to attend
Space Camp and see a launch.
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:51AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [100 ] hi
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:51AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [101
] Tatem - I'm glad you could join us. Have a great New Year!
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:51AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [102 ] It was fun
traveling with her to all of the fun places
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:52AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [103
] Hi, Heather - are you just joining the chat? Anyone else from your class
there with you?
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:52AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [104 ] I read your
biography very interesting!
Andrea/NASA/ChatHost: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:52AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [105 ] Is that Cecilia's daughter? Put your name in the box below
the window that you type into.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:53AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [106
] Lindsey - I don't know if Taro has ever grown in space.
: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:53AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [107 ] Yes, the
English class.
Karen/TJMS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:54AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [108 ]
What do you want to do next - or do you want to stay in your same job
for awhile?
Karen/TJMS: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:54AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [109 ]
What is taro and why was it grown in space?
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:54AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [110
] Any questions from the Live Oak English Class?
heather\liveoak: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:55AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [111]
Sorry andrea
s heather\liveoak: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:56AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . .
[112 ] hold on
Andrea/NASA/ChatHost: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:56AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [113 ] No problem - we just want to know who you are!
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:56AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [114
] Karen - I really love my job and have no plans to change anytime in
the near future. As I indicated earlier when the shuttle flights begin
to transition science experiments to the new space station I will start
supporting experiments there in the same capacity that I currently support
our shuttle experiments.
heather\liveoak: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:57AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [115]
where does rocket fuel come from
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:57AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [116
] Lindsey - can you tell us what Taro is?
heather\liveoak: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:57AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [117]
where does rocket fuel come from
Lindsey/Hawaii: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:58AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [118]
Taro is the plant used to make poi.
heather\liveoak: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 10:59AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [119]
Class is almost over she you later! You need to set up another time!
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 11:00AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [120
] Heather - There are lots of different kinds of rocket fuel. The shuttle
uses two kinds. The booster rockets are a solid propellent while the shuttle
engines are fueled by a liquid fuel stored in the external tank during
launch. Other types of rockets used to launch satellites use various types
of fuels that are manufactured by different companies.
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 11:00AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [121
] Thanks Lindsey - I've never been to Hawaii or had poi - that is one
of my goals in life!
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 11:01AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [122
] Heather - We'll have to check with Andrea and see if another time can
be set up for another chat.
Andrea/NASA/ChatHost: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 11:02AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [123 ] Cecilia and all - Thank you very much for a great chat. I hope
all have a Wonderful Holiday Season! Thanks for taking the time to join
us!
Andrea/NASA/ChatHost: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 11:03AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [124 ] Cecilia - you can work with Oran or Duncan to set up some time.
We also have a project called Women of NASA - I think you would enjoy
that project too!
Cecilia/NASA: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 11:03AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [125
] Is there anyone left out there with any more questions? I've had a great
time in with my first chat and look forward to doing it again some other
time.
Andrea/NASA/ChatHost: . . . . Wed, Dec 18, 11:04AM PDT (-0700 GMT).
. . [126 ] Thanks again Cecilia.
