I started my full time career working on the Space Shuttle for Lockheed Space Operations in GLS (Ground Launch Sequencer) for Launch Countdown at Kennedy Space Center. I then moved in the company to work as the third shifter for the Main Propulsion System (MPS) / Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) and after many years I ended up as a Senior Engineer. While I was in MPS/SSME the company changed its name to Lockheed Martin Space Operations (LMSO) and then to United Space Alliance . I have been launch certified (Level I) for CMPS and CMPL. I was also standboarded level II (Test and checkout, basically not launch) for CSME and CCME.

I worked on four of the vehicles, Including OV-102 (showing me next to the wing of Columbia), which was affectionately known as the penguin ... A penguin no more indeed (The quote is near the bottom).

Most of my Real Work was done in the Firing Room. During launch I worked as a "NASA Technician loading the External Tank of the shuttle" (as NASA PAO puts it). The usual camera shots of the Firing Room are more like (as a friend put it) a picture of the New York Stock exchange. Sometimes (accidentally) a picture that almost looked like me appeared. Of course there are better pictures of friends like Bob Waterman. I supported landings both on console and at the runway. Sometimes I supported landing in California for ferry flight back to Florida at DFRC (Dryden Flight Research Center) and was able to see planes like the The SR-71 Blackbird (with Jim Drew a co-worker). You can also take a virtual tour at Dryden and look at the SR-71 Blackbird (and other planes).

My job at ARINC working ACARS VHF allowed me to visit interesting places like Thailand and China. I visited the Great Wall, where I wore my Shuttle Jacket. This is a little bit of geek humor. The Great Wall is one of the few man made things that can be (arguably just barely ... or not) be seen from the Shuttle.

Home life? Surely you jest ... Not much except working on a few woodworking projects. "You know, I'm barely interested in my own life. I don't know how you could be interested in it." -- Jerry Seinfeld

Our youth love luxury. They have bad manners and contempt for their elders and love idle chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants not the servants of the household. They contradict their parents, chatter before company. gobble up their food, and tyrannize their teachers. --attributed to Socrates c.450 BCE

Rev 20150324
Comments to:
Username = "GandalfDDI"
E-Mail = "Outlook.Com"
Obviously to send me e-mail just put the preceeding two together --> Username@E-Mail (this is to minimize the amount of SPAM I get thank you)


"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die." - Blade Runner - Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) speaking to Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford).

To Market
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again, jiggety jig.
To market, to market, to buy a fat hog,
Home again, home again, jiggety jog.
To market, to market, to buy a plum bun,
Home again, home again, market is done.

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you...