Once Upon A Time I Had A Cool Job

Some things I suppose you never forget. V41P1150C. Center Main Engine Helium Tank Pressure. Every valve position, temperature, pressure and data parameter on the Space Shuttle is tagged with its own unique ID number. There are literally tens of thousands. I have countless bits of Space Shuttle information like this in my head that I will take to my grave. Although its been ten years (almost to the day) since I worked console for a launch I still remember every detail and as we approach another flight this weekend, it all comes back.

Working as a Main Propulsion System (MPS) flight controller for the Shuttle program was and will forever be my coolest job. You just can’t top it. I worked 6 launches during my days at NASA responsible for the external tank, solid rocket boosters, and the maze or cryogenic propellant lines in the Shuttle aft compartment that get liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen from the external tank to the three main engines. There is nothing cooler than going home after a launch and watching a replay on CNN and saying, yup, that’s what I did at work today. During the days leading up to a launch like we have this Saturday brings all the memories back even stronger because I miss it. I will be glued to the TV Saturday about 3:40 in the afternoon you can bet on that.

Out of town for the next few days to go see Wendell up on the Cape and hang out with his family. It will be good to get away for a moment and enjoy a cool New England night and some fireworks.