Aug 28 2008
About Me and Why I’m Here
I am a “rocket scientist”. Oh, I don’t really design rockets, exactly, but I’ve been working here at NASA for 20 years next May. I’ve torn out facilities older than I was and built new ones. I have designed (and had built) data handling systems, communications systems, calibration systems. I wrote software (after teaching myself the language C) for a robotic system. I’ve tested flight hardware and help design experiment hardware to support biological experiments. I’ve worked supporting flight operations safety in Mission Control (a back room, not the one on TV). I’ve been an EVA Safety Flight Lead for several flights including the last two Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Missions. I’ve studied meteoroids and orbital debris. I’ve been on safety review panels and, really, dabbled in all kinds of vacuum, environmental, power, payload/experiment, and data systems. Why all the bragging?
Because that’s not what’s interesting about me. I’m an engineer by accident and, though I’m really good at what I do, I never intended to be what I am now. It’s been interesting, but what I’m really interested in is everything else. Do you like history? I do. Do you like literature? I do. Are you interested in biology? Chemistry? The environment? I am.
But what I really love, what I’ve wanted to do all my life is write, write fiction. You probably will catch on quickly that this isn’t fiction, but I do love it. Since my field of choice tends to be science fiction and fantasy (or combinations thereof), I’m also interested in psychic power, dragons and faeries, magic, tarot, well, everything.
Since I don’t like being tied down to any one topic, I’m leaving myself open to all of them.
So, if there’s anything you’d like to ask about, talk about, leave a comment. I’m happy to discuss my career in space, space travel, science, as well as any of my other interests. Let me hear from you!
Yay! I’m glad you’ve joined us here at Today.
Would have left a comment on your first blog post too but apparently you didn’t click the little box to allow comments (yet).
Now I’m off to add you to my blogroll.
oh yeah…and I love your blog’s header, btw… it’s great.
Actually, they both say comments are allowed.
Odd. If you still can’t comment, let me know and I’ll get with management.
I’m glad you’re glad I’m here. I expect this will be fun.
Cool! Followed your link from “the other place”. Will bookmark you and… I might even remember to check in here from time to time to touch base and see how you are doing
Yay!!!! Sorry it took me so long to get here. I’ve been trying to get caught up with everything before the kids started school…so that I could write as soon as they were gone!
You see, I do have priorities! Love ya, sis!
Another speculative fiction writer? Awesome! We should exchange notes sometime.
Always willing to talk about my passions, ravyn.
Boy you sound just like me — except for, you know, being smarter than me, more interesting than me, and more well-rounded than me. And a different gender. But other than *that*…
BTW, I think that perhaps you meant to say “Are you interested in …’ rather than “Are you interesting in ….”
bill, thanks, though I suspect you’re selling yourself short. As for the typo, you’re absolutely right and I’ve corrected it.
Great stuff!
Which NASA location are you working at?
JSC
Hey! Just thought i would say hey and that i really enjoy reading your blog! I cant believe how much traffic you get! It’s out of this world!
http://lezwife.today.com
Steph: Nominated you for a Superior Scribbler award here. You might want to take a look.
Have a good one!
Hey Id really love to pick your brain you got a great blog….How do you get so much traffic to your blog whats goin on man give me some tips because Im trying to figure this thing out…..Keep it Great…. David BruiseDude
you can get ahold of me at Thebusinessman777@yahoo.com—–If you have any advice please dont hold back I can take it…
For those of you blown away by my popularity, I’m of the opinion that it is somewhat flukish in that someone submitted a science stimulating post to reddit-science. The traffic had a distinct peak that has long dropped off long ago.
Wish I could tell you something magic. I consider it largely serendipity.
I really enjoy reading your thoughtful, intuitive and creative blog. Please stop by and visit me sometime at careermysteries.today.com. Therese
Yo, Stephanie! I really like your blogspot…..makes me want to create one, too! Keep on truckin’!
Love,
me
I’ve just book marked your blog in my “favorites” and I look forward to following Rocket Scientist.
I’ve been an engineering geologist (similar to an engineer, minus the cool calculators and gadgets) for about 12 years. Like you, I found myself drawn to writing (a better fate than writing about drawing?). About six years ago I started writing a historical fiction novel. I love the writing process. I’m on my third draft right now and found that I’m less of a fan of the editing process. About a month ago I started blogging and am surprised at how much fun it is and the mental stimulation it provides. I also get a kick out of discovering a whole blogging community that has lurked below my radar screen. I’ve read blogs, but never considered much the people who write them and process involved. (Right now I’m imagining the first scientist who looked at pond water under a microscope and discovered the scum consisted of living things! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling you scum. Or pond water. Or small. Or a paramecium.
I would like to say that I’d be glad to trade “woes” and “wows” of the writing process.
Cheers,
Brian
Thank you thehabe and I would welcome anything you put up, Carol.
Brian, thank you. Today does this weird moderation for the first comment (which I think is a fine thing) without telling the commentor what’s up (which is not so fine). I deletec your second one and appreciate your sentiments. That’s very kind.
In theory, after the first time, you don’t get moderated again, but I have seen people moderated more than once for unknown reasons. If it doesn’t show up, give me a bit and I’ll take care of it. Thanks for coming by.
[This is a form letter because CtrlC/CtrlV is just too dang easy. I should begin with a personal greeting and taylor this to you specifically, but I decided to go the impersonal route. Aw nuts! In the time that I spent on this parenthetical garbage I could’ve put a greeting in. Ces la vie!]
One Giant Leap: A One Question Interview
I would like to invite you to participate in a one question interview that will be part of an article on The Secret of Newton. The one question is this:
What is the most significant “Giant Leap” in science history? Your answer to the question should be a single contribution that advanced a field of science the farthest in one giant leap.
Your response to the interview will be posted on The Secret of Newton blog along with contributions from other science bloggers I’m interviewing. Readers of will be polled for which among the contributions is the most significant scientific leap. The field of bloggers I’m tapping for this project includes:
The Deeps of Time
Physically Incorrect
Newton’s Ocean
Leave the Light on
Rocket Scientist
Arash’s World
Ether Wave Propaganda
Gumby the Cat
Nested Universe
Science 24×7
Science and Reason
Skulls in the Stars
The Questionable Authority
I’ve invited these people to participate because I’ve found a high caliber of thought in their blogs and truly respect their opinions. And I think that there is tremendous opportunity for debate.
I ask that submissions be posted in the comments to the “One Giant Leap Submissions” post at The Secret of Newton.
The reader’s choice for the best submittal will receive glory, honor and fame.
Much thanks!
-Brian
As I believe there are no stupid questions I have one for you. I am writing a piece for a charity site and I think space is one of those areas that needs to be incorporated in the third world’s cry for water. I read an article on the underground pipes in Libya and am curious. What site would you recommend to find any information as to water that may be fossil water in some of these countries? Is this possible?
ettarose, that’s a perfectly reasonable question. I just have no idea how to go about answering it other than doing a search on my favorite search engine Alta Vista. It’s not an area of expertise.
Here are some sites I pulled up:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_562.html
http://www.royalspringswater.com/ogallala-fossilwater.html
http://www.drinking-water.org/html/en/Sources/Fossil-Water-in-Libya.html
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=6454
I hope that can get you started.
Hi Stephanie,
I have been reading your blog and love it. Any chance you can put my blogs on your blog roll and I will do the same for you on mine? They are Careermysteries.today.com and Healthmysteries.today.com. I hope you will visit me because I think you will enjoy reading my stuff too. Have a great day.
Ms. Therese