Space Center Houston

A trip to NASA is not complete without going to the Space Center.  Here are some pictures:

This is an actual mock-up (the electrical parts) of a space shuttle.  They would use this to simulate different issues, and how to fix them.

The above was actual lettering from the space shuttle Atlantis.

 

It was sad to see the space shuttle mock-up with the above tag on it—artifact. . . .

This flag is located in the center of the Johnson Space Center—the flag is flying when there is an American astronaut in space.  It has been flying for 13 years straight—thanks to the International Space Station.

Rockets to Robots (cont.)

Nope, not done yet.  he-he

This is Fernando Zumbado, who works in the Dynamic Systems Test Branch at the Johnson Space Center.  He helped design the failure system astronauts will use during a space walk. Little ‘rocket’ type things help to maneuver the astronaut back to safety.  Fernando also flew with me last summer in microgravity.

It always helps to somehow get seated at the fun table—and for this teacher development that is exactly where I sat.  There were teachers from Dallas, El Paso, Brownsville, McAllen, Shreveport, and of course Corpus Christi at my table.  We had so much fun together.  My experience would have been much different if it wasn’t for those teachers who are now some of my best friends.  My roommate (the one standing beside me) was Amanda from Shreveport, LA.  We talked a lot about gumbo and LSU, and she shared all her teaching wisdom with me, and I shared all my NASA knowledge with her. 

So . . . did I finally get to meet an astronaut this year?!?!!  YES!!!  Two of them!  This is Astronaut Shane Kimbrough.  He has been on one space mission, and now waits in a ‘long line’ to go again.

This is Astronaut David Hilmers.  He went on four different missions, one of those being the mission right after the Challenger explosion.  After that mission, President Bush met the astronauts as they got off the space shuttle to thank them for continuing the space program.  He is really a neat guy, and I was so thankful to be able to watch his presentation and meet him.  After being an astronaut, he decided to go back to school to become a medical doctor.  I just bought his book.  I’m excited to read his thoughts, and to get to know him better.

I was so excited to see these guys—the Johnson Style guys and girl.  I played their video multiple times (look up Johnson Style on youtube—it is a parody to Gangnam Style).  It is really fun, and definitely got my students up and dancing.  And, now I can show them that Mrs. Bright met the Johnson Style guys!!!

This is Norm Chaffe and I—he has been working for NASA since 1961.  The rocket I’m holding is the first project he had with NASA.  These rockets helped the Apollo capsules maneuver around the lunar surface.  He had a hand in just about every aspect of the NASA program from the space shuttle to robotic arms.  It was definitely an honor to meet him, and hear him speak.

This is Margaret Baguio.  She was the lady who made all of the events happen during this week, and her granddaughter goes to Portland!!  It was definitely a great experience.  I (almost) want school to start right now!!

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Like I mentioned (about two posts back), I was very jealous of our neighbor who got to go to space camp . . . well, I got to do an activity they do at space camp—simulate what it would be like to be an astronaut traveling to Mars, and what it would feel like in being a scientist in mission control.  It was sooooooo fun!!!

It all started to go wrong when we saw this red light on the air flow tanks.

 

My partner and I had to make sure everything got fixed (by switching some lights in a certain pattern—given to us by mission control).  Yes, we saved the space craft, and landed on Mars with success.  he-he  It was so much fun!!

Since I had been to the museum multiple times with my family, I decided to dish out the money to pay for the Egyptian Mummy exhibit.  It was really amazing, and we lucked up by finding a guide who truly knew what he was talking about.  It was very interesting, a little scary, and a lot amazing.