Hi. I’m David.
Seeing Challenger explode in real time changed my life.
It was 1986, and some friends and I had gathered in the Auburn Student Center to watch. Two years later, I landed my dream job as an engineer at NASA. Three decades after that, I left.
While at NASA, I worked on lots of different projects: from liquid rocket motor full-scale testing, real-time flight controller operations for Spacelab and ISS, Old Space vehicle design and development (ISS Nodes, Constellation, Upper Stage, SLS), New Space vehicle design and development (Commercial Crew Program CCP aborts for SpaceX Dragon and Boeing Starliner), and Human Landing System HLS requirements for SpaceX and Blue Origin vehicles.
Scoring Proposals
Some of my most enjoyable time inside NASA was serving as a voting member on two different Source Evaluation Boards (SEBs). During these competitive procurements, I got to see firsthand how NASA awards billion-dollar contracts and does business.
I also worked at the Kennedy Space Center for a short time in the Space Shuttle Main Engine SSME Chief Engineer’s Office and at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for one year on a career development assignment. I was at NASA Headquarters on 9/11.
Investigation Panel
One of my final assignments at NASA was serving on a Flight Hardware Investigation Panel. This four-person team was tasked with determining why a multi-million dollar piece of flight hardware wouldn’t fit through the mounting hole when it arrived onboard the International Space Station.
Before we dive in, let me say this. I don’t profess to have all the answers. My hope is that my words will get the ball rolling for meaningful change—and that at least a few folks who used to occupy corner offices will have the courage to join in the conversation.
Trust me. I’m not the only one who knows about what I write about.
Some have suggested the easiest path forward might be to start over. I hate to see it come to that. That’s why it’s crucial now more than ever that we join together and boldly change things—before it’s too late and NASA becomes obsolete.
Other Projects and Interests
I enjoy taking complex ideas and making them simple. I enjoy learning something new. I’ve written three books about motorcycling, enjoy a good IPA and hunting for hard-to-find bourbons, and love playing pickleball with folks older than me. I wish I could say I enjoy running, but I don’t. I mostly do that so I can eat more.
Contact me by messaging me on LinkedIn or connecting via email.
david@nasaology.com
—David
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