Brian Lusby...

Hi everybody! Thank you for accessing my bio. My name is Brian Lusby and I am almost finished with my first term as a NASA co-op. I am a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering with a supplemental major in math at New Mexico State University . Unlike most of the folks at this website, I am completing my first phase in the Laboratories Department at the White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) in Las Cruces , NM , my home town. I didn't have to travel far for this excellent employment opportunity, but I sure had to work hard for it, but I won't bore you with the details - just trust me! Ever since I was young I wanted to work with NASA, and now HERE I AM!!! Persistence and Patience Pays By my sophomore year of college, I had been convinced that it would be highly beneficial for an engineering student to complete at least one co-op before graduation. So, I began attending career fairs and engaging in job interviews. I was unsuccessful in every interview, including my first interview with NASA. But I was lucky enough to earn a second interview, and soon after was offered a position! I believe it was fate that all the positions I applied for and didn't really want turned me down, and the one I really wanted accepted me. Even better is the fact that the best way to become a fulltime NASA employee is through the co-op program.

Let the Journey Begin

During my first co-op phase I have been exposed to a wide variety of projects. One of the main aspects of testing in progress at the WSTF Labs during my work phase was the analysis of monopropellant grade hydrazine (MPH) versus high purity hydrazine (HPH) - their quality as a fuel and their long-term effects on materials they may contact during Shuttle missions. One of the many projects I was involved with was the adiabatic compression project. The goal of this project was to induce auto decomposition of hydrazine by rapid compression and analyze the differences between MPH and HPH. In other words, try to make it go BOOM! I also also designed a fume hood like system to pull toxic vapors of contaminated specimens away from the operator of our new tensile strength testing machine.

I have also been involved with materials testing in support of the MPH versus HPH program. Under this program, crucial components of the Shuttle are tested under their normal operating conditions to analyze their integrity over and beyond their operating lifetime. This gives us data to be used for hazard assessments. My involvement in the program was with the fuel system materials compatibility testing. The various materials that may come in contact with hydrazine during the Shuttle's flight are immersed in MPH or HPH for at least 20 days, after which tensile strength testing of the materials was conducted. The differences in the effects of MPH and HPH were analyzed.

In addition, I have been through the three day long Materials and Components Testing Systems Familiarization training course put on at WSTF. The class was extremely informational and was very useful in my mission to learn WSTF's ways. I never realized the diversity and complexity of the capabilities WSTF has to support the Shuttle and ISS.

Although I have not yet had a chance to fly in the Vomit Comet, I have been analyzing some of the data obtained in reduce gravity experiments done in flight observing the way different metals burn. This includes finding regression rates and other experimental data to be updated in the database, and digitizing the test videos. I will have a chance to fly in the future in support of this project and am looking forward to it.

	One unique opportunity I have had working at WSTF is serving on the Odor Panel. Sounds like it stinks, but it is actually quite beneficial to the space program. While occupying a confined space for days to weeks, or even years at a time, some materials' off-gases may become irritable to the astronauts aboard the Shuttle or the ISS. For this reason, WSTF has created the Odor Panel.
10 Beaker Test - Identify the scents of each beaker as part of Odor Panel Qualification.

After each material's off-gas toxicity has been measured, the toxic materials are removed from testing because they will not be used for space applications, and the non-toxic materials are exposed to a panel of volunteers to rate their scent for tolerability. Although, I have not yet smelled a sample, my nose has passed inspection and is available for the next panel. Although this is helping astronauts now, I may be helping myself out in the future because I plan on applying to become an astronaut someday.

Next week I will be starting a project that provides data for hazard assessment for the Shuttle's water spray boiler (WSB). The purpose of this project is to determine a mixture of PGME and water's ignition capabilities from a flame (simulated ignition source near the WSB) at different distances from the test mixture. I will be mixing the PGME/water test fluid and assisting in the design and setup of the test system.

Another unique and fulfilling opportunity available at WSTF is the Science Advisor (SCIAD) program. The SCIAD program is a collaborative effort between NASA and local schools to provoke interest in math and science among kids. I attended an all day event at the Southwestern New Mexico Fairgrounds where I got to show kids what happens to different materials in the extreme cold temperature and vacuum of space. To do this I got to play with liquid nitrogen and a vacuum chamber! I also showed them some of the effects of reduced gravity. It is amazing that I was lucky enough to see some of these demonstrations when I was a kid, and now I'm on the other side of the table putting on these demos! The program really works!

Playing with Liquid Nitrogen.

I have also been working on a developmental SCIAD demo in which ion propulsion is used to fly a "UFO". I built the first working Ionization Aerofoil at WSTF, plus a new and improved model! It is a contraption made out of aluminum foil and balsa wood. It levitates using only electricity (~30 kV at 1 mA) and no moving parts. It is really amazing to see. I have already demonstrated it to several groups of elementary school students on one occasion and am planning another demo to middle school students.

Ionization Aerofoil (UFO) demo - The new and improved model.

Our Educational Outreach coordinator liked it so much the first time he saw it that he put forth a proposal for the NASA project at a local middle school that allows students to build their own models and have them tested during the parabolic flights of the Vomit Comet! The proposal has been accepted and is currently in the planning period of the project! This will provide me another opportunity to fly aboard the Vomit Comet! I have designed a test stand for the Ionization Aerofoil demo that will be used in schools, and will serve as the basis for the design used in the Vomit Comet.

The End of my Bio - Finally (I just couldn't stop writing)

Astronaut Terry Willcut and me at WSTF's 40 th Anniversary Celebration.

Now that you have read this entire bio filled with the awe-inspiring things I have experienced during my first co-op phase with NASA, I want to once again thank you for your interest and hope that I have provoked more interest in your thoughts about working with NASA. The experience I have gained in this 4 ½ months is invaluable as a basis toward an extended career with NASA. I have met and interacted with some fascinating people, including three astronauts, and had a wonderful experience while working at WSTF.

My mentor, Miguel Maes, has been great, and I am privileged to have been supervised by Harry Johnson. For all of you who co-op at JSC in Houston, I highly recommend completing at least one phase at WSTF in beautiful Las Cruces, NM. Besides all of the great opportunities at WSTF, Las Cruces is known for its natural beauty and gorgeous sunsets, with any type of recreational activity within driving distance. If you have any questions or would just like to chat, feel free to e-mail me at blusby@nmsu.edu.