
August 8, 2022
Hey everyone! It is now (unfortunately) the final week. I cannot believe our time has almost come to an end! I’ve been wrapping up two of the projects I’ve been working on. The first one is my original MELD project, exploring the abrasive and adhesive effects of lunar regolith. One of my tasks was designing the apparatus for my experiment. I collaborated with my mentor on dimensions and design, but then learned how to create detailed CAD models in Creo Parametric. My second project became the more extensive of the two. I performed cryovolcanic plume studies to determine drag on a spacecraft! My role was designing models that would describe particle column density throughout a cryovolcanic plume. MATLAB became my bread and butter as I learned how to take real-world circumstances and describe it in code. It was a challenge, but nonetheless an invigorating experience to see the final product. In fact, my mentor and I’s work became an AAS/AIAA conference paper! I am so grateful for every opportunity I have gotten to take part in this summer.

August 3, 2022
Hello! My internship has continued to be amazing, and I am learning so much from this experience. I had the chance to meet the first female launch director (who will direct the launch of Artemis I too), Charlie Blackwell-Thompson. She was very nice, and I got a picture with her! Additionally, this week, I got to talk with astronauts, and they were very kind too! Also, I toured the Vehicle Assembly Building and saw the Space Launch System rocket up close! I love having these opportunities to see spaceflight hardware and to meet amazing people. My project has been going along well too, and we have made progress into the design of the experiment. Hopefully before my internship ends, I can do fit testing of the experiment by 3D printing our parts! This summer has gone by in a blink, and I am very thankful I got to spend my summer working at KSC.

August 1, 2022
Hello readers! My internship is flying by and I’m trying to value every minute I’m still here. Since my last update I’ve been doing a lot of work to both help-out the lab and move my project along as swiftly as possible. Recently I spent many hours working in regolith with full respirator gear on. It was tiring work, but I really enjoyed it, and it’s the kind of thing that is rewarding once you are done. It was one of the things the lab needed done in preparation for future testing and I was happy to offer my help and be part of the team. For my project I have been finalizing designs with my mentor and running more test so that we can send as complete of project description to Blue Origin. I have felt like my role on this project has been very meaningful to the team which is the best part personally.
-Bryce

July 29, 2022
Hello readers, it’s so nice talking to you all again! Since the last time we spoken I’ve gotten to experience a lot of cool things. I was able to see the technology that Neil Armstrong used to practice for his mission to the moon as well as a lot of other interesting things. These days I’ve been doing a lot of material manufacturing and analysis. I’ve also got the chance to learn a few characterization techniques. About two weeks the NASA Langley Research Center celebrated its 105th anniversary recently and I won people choice in the cookie bake off they had. So, even though working at NASA is hard work it is also a really fun and enjoyable work environment. All in all, I’m having a wonderful time and while I am sad the internship is ending soon I’m very excited to start my graduate program in the fall. Ad Astra.
-Oni

July 27, 2022
As a KSC intern there have been a multiplicity of great tour events to participate in. Just to name a few, we have been able to see the SLS rocket out at the launch pad as well as an up close and personal experience with the SLS in the VAB. As the internship comes to an end, I am preparing to give a short presentation that will summarize all the work that I have completed in the last 10 weeks. In addition to my own research, I have also been assisting my PI with some of her own projects such as a triparental mating protocol wherein we facilitate the transfer of a plasmid from one bacterium to another. All in all, this summer has been a great opportunity to make new friends and learn from some of the best and brightest NASA has to offer!
-Andrew Ady

July 25, 2022
Hello dear readers! A lot of amazing things have happened since last time. During my internship experience, I have learned a lot about the experimental process and how to use some equipment. I performed goniometry experiments to study the surface energy and surface tension of the ceramic samples. Lately, I have been spending most of my time conducting experiments to understand the adhesion forces of the lunar regolith within the surface of the structures. I was also able to perform some experiments using liquid nitrogen, which is super cool because due to the high humidity in Virginia, my samples are enclosed by snow! During this time, I also participated in one of the summer STEM outreach events where I helped children to create and understand how the solar system work using playdoh. It’s amazing to see the creativity and imagination that children can have! During this time, I also participated in a volleyball tournament celebrating Langley’s 105th anniversary. Lastly, my parents surprised me for my birthday! They drove 13 hours and made it to Langley just in time to sing happy birthday to me.
Talk Soon!!
Perla
July 22, 2022

Since we last talked, simulation development has been progressing steadily. I was able to accomplish replication and verification cases of a plume source flow model as an inlet for rarefied plume impingement calculations, we then set up a full-scale demonstration case of a Soyuz module approaching the ISS. Last week I presented these developments at the 17th OpenFOAM Workshop as a virtual participant. In preparation for this I completed many tasks to clean up my results and tell the story I want to. I used Python to graph my results and make cartoon figures of the relevant physics. Then I outlined my comparison method and cited the sources. Lastly, I developed a Power Point presentation, then developed and rehearsed a script for the conference. Outside of this I started attending a journal club with other NASA interns. It’s been an invaluable experience to chat about research interests with interns from other centers in NASA.
Until next time!
Andy

July 20, 2022
Hey everyone!
Every day I wake up around 6:45am, but since my commute is very short and my hours flexible, I usually get to work around 8:30am. Usually the bulk of my days consist of sitting at my desk working on simulations and writing python scripts, however, my branch usually tries to keep interns active by giving many tours and seminars throughout the week. The branch is actively involved in a joint seminar with Ames Research Center, so it gives us some time to stretch our legs, take a break, and hear about what everyone in our branch is currently working on. Additionally, we usually take a tour of a new facility every week to learn about the various projects going on outside of our branch. Depending on what experimental tests are currently going on, I might take a trip to the gantry or a wind tunnel to be involved in the testing procedures for the MSR-EES vehicle. Around 12pm, a group of interns from our cubicles go to the cafeteria for lunch for an hour then head straight to the seminars. After the seminars, we usually have a few more hours to finish up work for the day. I usually leave the office by 5:00pm and head to the gym on center or play volleyball/tennis with the other interns on center. That usually concludes my day and I prepare for the next day!
-Jackson Asiatico

July 18, 2022
Hi again! It’s Janice here, taking you through a day in my life as a NASA OSTEM intern this summer.
Being a completely virtual intern during the summer has its ups and downs, but the “commute” to work is a big perk! Mornings for me start at 7:15am just so I can give myself time to wake up and make breakfast before sitting at my desk at home (in Orlando, FL) to start work. Some days, I like to vary it up and head to a quiet spot in the UCF campus to work. Turning on my computer, I immediately check my emails, schedule, and any additional logistical items before I start working—it helps me understand what is going on for the day and to get myself in the right headspace.
This summer, I’ve worked with software such as Octave and Star-CCM+ and the work varies day-by-day and week-by-week so it’s hard to really give a general description. While I work though, I typically have a PowerPoint presentation or Word document open to record my progress and any issues that I run into; sometimes, the records just become a list of issues but that’s all a part of the learning process. If there are intern-required meetings put on by NASA OSTEM for that day, I usually attend and have lunch then; if not I watch an episode of a show while I have my lunch. It can get a little tedious and unmotivating being at home all the time, so breaks are needed for me! Currently, I’ve been on a big Marvel Universe kick and have been catching up, watching through “What If…?” (I know, I’m very late to the party).
Usually by 5:00pm, I consider myself done for the day and unwind by watching a show, reading a book (I’m taking book suggestions), exercising, or I sometimes get caught up doing fall semester prep for student organizations I am a part of. In comparison to those on-site, it’s a little underwhelming, but I am still grateful for having this experience to learn and being able to be at home with family for the summer!
Janice

July 15, 2022
Sunrises and jazz— that’s how my morning begins as I’m on my way to the Kennedy Space Center. Since I live in Orlando, I have about an hour commute to work each day. One might find it cumbersome, but I’ve become accustomed to it as it gives me a chance to clarify my thoughts as I go in or unwind when I’m on my way home from work. My first stop is Swamp Works (SW), which serves as my home base for the day. The Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations lab (GMRO) is pretty quiet at 8 am. However, I’m based upstairs in the Loft, a collaborative space with big tables and workstations to prototype or design different projects. This is where most of the SW interns reside. Work commences with responding to emails and looking to see if any meetings are scheduled. A habit I began at the beginning of my internship is to create a “Daily Goals” document to list out what I want to accomplish or focus on. I highly recommend writing out your tasks as it helps you to see the steps you’ve taken throughout your internship! Since my project is primarily research, most of my day consists of literature reading and coding in MATLAB or forming documentation in Overleaf. However, being in the lab means that I get to occasionally partake in other projects! I’ve assisted testing in the large regolith simulant bin (called “Big Bin”), been instructed on different machines being assembled, and watched as coworkers run trials of various project methods. Lunch time typically takes place at Headquarters, which is a short walk from SW. It’s become an oasis for the interns as many of us get to meet up with each other from all parts of KSC! After working on my project and attending meetings sprinkled throughout the day, my time ends around 5 pm. Then I get to run errands, head home, and prepare for the next day.
– Katrina Gucwa
July 13, 2022

NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) has been at the forefront of spaceflight and continues to serve as a hub for human spaceflight activity. I start my day at 7:00 am by brewing a fresh cup of espresso and preparing for my upcoming MCAT exam before going on-site at 9:00am. When I arrive at JSC, I head to Building 21, which is dedicated to Human Health and Performance. In Building 21, I spend much of my time in an intern suite, JSC had graciously set up for all the summer interns to help us build relationships and connections with our peers who we may collaborate with for our entire careers.
Every morning, the first thing I do is outline my schedule for the day and then I have my daily meeting with my mentors, Dr. Honglu Wu and Dr. Jean Sibonga. These meeting are to update them on my plans for the day and my project’s progress along with learning everything I can from scientists that have a lifetime of knowledge in human spaceflight and aerospace medical research. Once my meetings conclude around 10:00 am, I head over to the research lab to work on my summer project. My work in the lab goes on until 12:00 pm.
Then, all the interns usually meet in the break room for lunch. We use this time to update each other on our projects and learn from one another since our intern group is composed of people from diverse backgrounds ranging from current medical students to aerospace engineers and fashion designers. After lunch, the intern coordinators often have coordinated events for us to participate in to enrich our experience as JSC interns. These events have ranged from tours of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, Mission Control, lectures from leading scientists and current astronauts, and even the opportunity to use the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED)! Intern events usually conclude around 2:00 pm, where we then return to our labs to continue working on our projects. At 5 pm, our time on-site normally ends, and we head out for the day. After leaving JSC, the day is far from over because there are many intern events coordinated by the community of JSC interns are held after the working day. After participating in intern events, I return to the University of Houston Clear Lake dorms around 9:00 pm and then go to the campus gym until 10:00 pm. After finishing my workout, I spend the rest of the night continuing to study for my MCAT.

July 11, 2022
Hello!
I start my day off waking up at 6 am, eating breakfast, getting dressed, and walking my dog. At around 7:20 am, I start my 50 minute commute to KSC. While driving, I have been listening to audiobooks about a subject I find very interesting: spaceflight history. This is the first time I have read for pleasure in many months, and I am happy I am listening to books I have been meaning to read for years. Near the end of my drive, I also love seeing the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and other historic sites. Once I arrive at the Swamp Works Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations (GMRO) lab, I go upstairs. I set up my laptop and check my email. Then, what I do during the workday can vary. I spend the majority of my time working on my computer; I do computer tasks such as using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to design parts, researching what components and hardware work best for a design, learning how to use new software, watching a presentation, and doing required training. Sometimes, I have meetings to attend, and I also tag up with my mentor whenever needed. I also have done testing for one piece of hardware, and one day I got to don a respirator and dig lunar dirt simulant for two hours. I always go see a launch whenever convenient. Each day at around noon, I eat lunch with other interns at KSC Headquarters, but sometimes we just eat at our desks. After lunch, I continue my work until around 5 pm. I pack up my laptop, head downstairs to the parking lot, and begin my long commute back to my apartment. Then, I relax, get dinner, spend time with my dog, and go to bed sometime before midnight.
-Emma Shafer

July 8, 2022
Bryce here, I start my morning with a small cup of coffee to give me just enough energy to get going and make it to work. The commute for me can be long, usually around 50 minutes, but I’ve taken the opportunity to expand my music taste over the summer and it never hurts to drive towards a sunrise, that is, as long as you have some sunglasses. Driving is never really that bad because I am excited to get to work. Most days I’m even one of the first ones there. I head to the GMRO lab at Swamp Works which is where we spend most of our days either upstairs collaborating and working on our computers or running in between the loft and the downstairs lab for projects. One fact about working at NASA is that there are many meetings and interns are no exception. It’s very important to regularly check our calendars and emails to make sure we are keeping up with everything. When lunch time rolls around, I typically head to Headquarters with other interns and are often met by interns from around the center to hang out and eat together. The afternoon is typically filled with a bigger variety of activities. Some days I have suited up in a respirator to work in regolith, sometimes we are visiting other locations on center, and other times I am progressing mine or other projects. I typically wrap up work around 4:30 to 5 and will occasionally throw a design into one of our 3D printers so that I can have it as a prototype part the next day. One location I have really appreciated is the KSC employee gym which is located just across the street from my work. I often like to go over there for about an hour after work. It’s a wonderful convenience so that I can just relax after I get back from the drive home. I eat some dinner and get ready for the next day!

July is 6, 2022
A day in the life of a NASA Intern: Oni Edition
5:00 am: brrrrring brrrrriiiiinnng brrrrring. Snooze.
5:15: brrringg brrrring brrring. Stop.
5:15 – 6:00: Lay in bed until my body catches up with my brain
6:00 – 6:15: Make my bed
6:15 – 7:00: Take a way too long shower with a way too loud playlist
7:00 – 7:05: Brush teeth
7:05 – 7:20: Clothes.
7:20 – 7:40: Hair. Text my dad, call my mom.
7:40 – 7:50: Lunch.
7:50 – 8:00: Hydrate.
8:00 – 8:10: Shoes.
8:15: Out the door
8:15 – 8:30: Head to work
8:30: Get to work
8:30 – 9:00: Check emails
9:00 – 9:15: Plan out/review tasks for the day
9:15 – 9:30: Gather items needed. Safety glasses. Gloves. Lab coat. Lab notebook.
9:30 – 11:45: Material manufacturing
12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch.
1:00 – 3:00: Analyze materials – Gather data
3:00 – 5:00: Group meeting (on Mondays)
3:00 – 5:00: Analyze data
5:00 – 5:30/6:00: Finish up for the day
5:30/6:00 – 8:00: Afterwork activities with other interns
8:00 – 8:20: Head home
8:20 – 8:40: Shower
8:40 – 9:20: Prepare dinner. Call my mom
9:20 – 9:40: Eat.
9:40 – 11:00: Unwind
11: 20: Brush teeth.
11: 25: Hydrate.
11:30: Sleep.
See ya!
Oni
July 4, 2022

Given Orlando’s proximity to KSC, I, along with many of the other interns from UCF, make the ~1 hour commute to and from the center every day. For this reason, my day typically gets started around 6:00am but work does not begin until 9:00am when I step into the lab. Typically, once I arrive, I will briefly chat with my advisor to see if there is anything that she needs done before making the bacterial media(s) that she or I will need for the day. From there I immediately get started on the media(s), so they can be among some of the first things to be sterilized in the autoclave. After that, I then return to my lab and begin analyzing and recording pertinent data from the previous day’s work. When about an hour has passed, I head back to the autoclave and retrieve my media(s) so that I may finish processing them and preparing them for experimental use. As the needs of the lab vary from day to day this part of my day also varies in accordance with what is needed for that given day. When preparation times are brief, I will usually jump on the microscope and start imaging the triparental mating samples that are ready for visualization. Every day, usually somewhere around noon, I take a break for lunch and will try to find a unique spot to eat my food. In the past I have gone out to sit in front of the SLS and even right off the causeway to appreciate some of the wildlife that call KSC home. Following lunch, I then head back to the lab and begin setting things up for the experiment(s) that I will be doing for that day. Sometime later, after all my experiments are complete and properly stored for incubation, I make sure to organize and disinfect my workstation before heading to my office in the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF). Once I get settled into my desk, I finally get out my computer and start in on relevant literature reviews, drafting experimental protocols, and outlining my plan of attack for tomorrow. This part of my day is by far the most variable in the sense that some days I will spend several hours in my office reading and writing while on others I may never even enter the building. Again, this is a function of what is needed and what needs to be done in the lab that day. As the clock nears 5:30 I begin packing up my things and preparing myself for the journey home. Before heading out I always drop by my mentor’s office to discuss our plans for tomorrow and wish each other a great rest of the evening. Fast forward another hour and I am back at the house enjoying a bit of relaxation and much needed time with my dogs before waking up to do it again.
July 1, 2022

It’s been almost a month since I started my internship at NASA Langley! This time has passed by super fast. My day begins with a good cup of coffee and a 30 minutes commute to Langley. After I arrive at the office, I check my email and plan my day. Most of the days, I have been receiving training such as the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), where I was able to take a closer look at my ceramic samples. I have also been trained on an optical profilometer to determine the roughness value of the surfaces tested, which I have been using frequently. I also received a tour of the building with all the machines that are used to test metals. For lunch, I usually enjoy myself and the warm weather. During the afternoons I would join my meetings and continue performing the experiments. On the fun side, I joined the soccer team at NASA Langley, and we play every Tuesday and Thursday. At soccer, I was able to meet other people and learn about their roles and projects at NASA. It’s impressive to learn about all the opportunities available. I will continue sharing my experience soon!!!
Bye!
Perla

June 29, 2022
Andy here with some updates. This summer I’ve been working as a virtual intern. This has given me a lot of freedom over my work schedule and is a huge perk in my opinion. Most days I’m waking up at 4am and starting to work around 4:45am to 5am. Many might say I’m crazy for this (I am), but I have the option to finish my day by 2pm if I would like to, giving me a solid 6 hours of free time after work.
Since my work is 100% coding and simulation based, my workday is usually filled with one of the following activities in support of these efforts: reading through publications for background research on similar research projects, learning a new technology by reading through documentation and building test cases, refreshing math concepts by reading through literature and working out practice problems, or reading through written pseudocode for simulation development. If you haven’t picked up on the pattern, most of my days consist of a lot of reading and coding.
Talks Soon!
Andy
June 27, 2022

This summer will be my first internship at Langley Research Center. My first week consisted of various seminars to learn about the state of technology within the Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) community. I was able to tour many of the facilities at Langley including the composites lab, the manufacturing lab, the hangar, as well as 5 of approximately 22 wind tunnels. Standing inside the transonic dynamics tunnel (TDT) test section was by far the most amazing experience I’ve had so far!
See ya!
Jackson
June 24, 2022 –

Hello everyone, Janice here! Like some other fellows this summer, my NASA OSTEM internship is based at the John F. Kennedy Space Center. However, with what I work on, I am a completely virtual intern—working from home about a half hour away from KSC. Since I was already familiar with the software and tools that need to be used for my work, my first week consisted of a kickoff meeting with our little summer group (Andy, our mentor, and I), beginning code for models, and attending intern required events such as orientation and an intern welcome. As we have all experienced during lockdown, virtual work can be quite isolating, however our center has set up external servers and other methods to let us meet other interns and keep us a little more engaged, which I am grateful for!
Talk to you soon!
Janice
June 22, 2022 –

This summer, I am located at the John F. Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast. My first week consisted primarily of one thing: training! Regardless of which center you are located at; NASA strives to prepare you for anything you will experience in your internship. Since I am part of a lab, many of my training included Safety topics. Aside from training, I did get to see a unique specialty of KSC— a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch! Hearing and feeling the launch up close was an awe-inspiring experience, and I am so grateful to be a small part of the space program.
Goodbye!
Katrina
June 20, 2022 –

My name is Christopher Ngo, but I go as Chris. I am currently a graduate student at the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences where I plan to move forward to medical school to pursue a career as a physician. My experience in the medical field has largely taken place in the field of emergency medicine as I am a trained fire fighter and EMT. However, opportunities have been afforded to me through the monumental support of my MSTAR mentors and professional mentors that has allowed me to expand into family medicine, aerospace medicine, and orthopedics. Thanks to my MSTAR mentor Dr. Melanie Coathup I have been given the chance to contribute to the goal of achieving sustained long-term presence on lunar surfaces over the next decade as outlined by NASA’s strategic plan which has opened more doors than I could’ve ever imagine in my journey to medical school. Under Dr. Coathup’s tutelage I have been able to explore and contribute to projects in the ever-growing field of orthopedics and aerospace medicine as astronauts lose bone more rapidly than any condition seen on Earth and while onset is more drastic, the disuse osteoporosis seen in astronauts shares many similarities to degenerative osteoporosis displayed in normal gravity on Earth. Our plans to advance the scientific literature for future scientist and medical professionals focuses on studies and experiments that will examine the potential mechanisms through which g exposure promotes bone cell dysfunction. I am excited to share how I will carry out these goals at the NASA Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) so I may advance the UCF MSTAR mission and JSC’s mission of risk surveillance and enhancement of long-term management of skeletal health in long-duration astronauts this summer!
Bye!
Chistopher
June 17, 2022 –

This summer is my first internship at the John F. Kennedy Space Center, and becoming a NASA intern has been very exciting! Like other fellows working onsite, the first week consisted of training. For instance, the first day was a long training orientation with the rest of the onsite interns. Some training was a review for me, but I am thankful NASA takes safety very seriously. Once I got my badge, I was able to drive in the center, and I love that freedom! After work one day, I spent some time driving around to some launchpads, and it was amazing to see the giant Space Launch System up close on its pad. In addition, I saw a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch, and it was the closest I have ever been to a launch. I love having the ability to work somewhere very historic, to see the gargantuan Vehicle Assembly Building every day, and to work on such an exciting project in a fantastic lab.
Talk to you soon!
Emma
June 15, 2022 –

I am an OSTEM intern working at John F. Kennedy Space Center this summer. There is no surprise saying that my first week on-center was filled with training after trainings. But that is what makes this place possible, and extensive training is what keeps everyone safe, on the same page, efficient, and responsible. It is reassuring that NASA takes their employees’ safety very seriously. And by persevering through the hurdles, I can start working on some fascinating projects like a prototype moon rover! In addition to my work, there is always something amazing to see on-center, and I was lucky enough to watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch! I feel incredibly lucky and plan to see every launch I can.
Talk to you later!
Bryce
June 13, 2022

Hi everyone! My name is Oneilia (Oni) Swaby, and I will be starting my PhD program at the University of Central Florida in the fall. For the past month I have had the amazing opportunity to work as a student intern are the NASA Langley Research Center. For the past year I have been a part of the Raghavan Research Group at my university. I have gained a real interest in metallic materials and how they can be improved for multifunctional aerospace applications. In the short time that I have been here I have had the opportunity to learn so much while meeting a lot of amazing people; I am very excited to take the knowledge gained here and apply it to my future PhD research. I’m glad to have you all here following my NASA Girl Adventures!
Catch up with you real soon!
Oni
June 10, 2022

Hi everyone, my name is Andrew Ady, and I am a graduate student in the College of Medicine studying Cancer Cell Biology at the University of Central Florida. Like many of the other interns, my summer research project at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) aims to further expand upon much of the work completed in the months leading up to our time at NASA. More specifically, my research project focuses on the utilization of silver-cerium oxide nanoparticles (AgCNP’s) and their potential applications within the International Space Station (ISS). What’s more, this project also aims to assess the effects of microgravity on the development of bacterial resistance against a suite of relevant drugs and novel disinfectants. In my first week at KSC there were a seemingly endless number of trainings, classes, and walk-throughs to complete before being able to get started in the labs. Outside all the trainings and orientations, I was also able to meet with NASA astronaut and flight engineer Reid Wiseman via Microsoft Teams to hear about his time in space and ask questions about life as an astronaut. To top it all off, I, along with many of the other interns, also got to watch the 156th launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Overall, if this week is any indication for what is to come, I think this summer will undoubtedly be one to remember!
June 8, 2022 –

Hello dear readers! My name is Perla Latorre. I am a graduate student from the University of Central Florida (UCF) pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. I have been working with the Raghavan Research Group for almost four years conducting research on ceramic materials. This year I had the amazing opportunity to be part of the UCF-MSTAR Fellowship, where I will be doing an internship at NASA Langley Research Center for the summer. This summer, I will be working along with other interns of designing coatings to protect components and vehicles used for lunar exploration from the lunar dust. First, I drove around 13 hours to my summer destination, Virginia. Although it was a long drive, I had lots of fun listening to my music and enjoying the experience. For the first day of my internship, I had the opportunity to meet one of my mentors and get setup for the upcoming weeks. I also received a tour at one of the oldest hangars from the United States and took a picture with the flight suit. I also met lots of other interns and learned about their awesome projects. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer will bring!
Bye!
Perla
June 6, 2022 –

This summer is my second semester working as a virtual intern for the Kennedy Space Center. My first week started with the kickoff meeting of our working group. Here, our mentor, Dr. Pitt, discussed the fundamentals of computational mechanics and how we pull concepts from philosophy, mechanics, mathematics, and computer science to build up the functionality needed to produce a new simulation method. He also gave an overview of the distinct phases of the mathematical modeling process involved in this production. These are the nitty-gritty details I live for!
Goodbye,
Andy