Category: Countdown to the Moon

Tim is in the Navy making his way to the Aerospace Industry. He is working on a MS in Space Systems Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (https://erau.edu/degrees/certificate/space-systems)

We talked a lot about career paths and how people get into the Aerospace industry who might have started out in a different field. Here are links to additional resources that we referenced:
Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC): http://lsic.jhuapl.edu/

MIT Open Courseware Fundamentals of System Engineering: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/aeronautics-and-astronautics/16-842-fundamentals-of-systems-engineering-fall-2015/

NASA Systems Engineering Handbook: https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/nasa-systems-engineering-handbook

Insight Maker: https://insightmaker.com/

Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) STK: https://www.agi.com/products/stk

Space Foundation: https://www.spacefoundation.org/

Loretta Hall is an author, space enthusiast, and a NSS Space Ambassador. She is helping Wally Funk create her memoir. Wally Funk was one of the Mercury 13, a group of women who passed all the same tests as the Mercury astronauts. Wally still plans to make her way into space on a Virgin Galactic flight.

Loretta is glad that the first landing on the moon in the 21st century will include the first woman. But at the same time, it would be great if we were already past that point. It reminds me of something that Christina Koch, who along with Jessica Meir, completed the first all woman spacewalk said  “This is really just us doing our jobs.” In the end we are all individuals, and we have things we want to do.

Loretta is looking forward to our return to the moon. And hopes that humanity will expand out into the solar system and beyond.

Sean Sessel is the CEO and Founder of The Oculus Institute which provides Comprehensive Personal Development. We talked mainly about the work he does to help people get back into touch with their passions and to have a career that provides meaning and fulfillment.

I recently saw some posts on LinkedIn about people in Aerospace talking about how their counselors, peers, parents attempted to direct them in a different direction. Because they were starting their careers when the Apollo program was winding down (others also chimed in saying they had a similar experience when the Shuttle program was winding down). But they stuck with it and were able to be apart of the beginning of this New Space Age.

Some core values that are essential for success:
1) Critical Thinking. It does not matter who is saying it. It matters what is the truth. Find the Truth and stick with it regardless of what the world does, and eventually they will catch up with you. It is OK to question authority. In fact, you should question authority!

2) Honesty. Honesty in your business dealings. Honesty with yourself. Honesty with your family and friends. People should be able to trust you and know that what you say is the truth.

3) NEVER SETTLE. Don’t be satisfied with “Good enough”. Achieve your dreams and do not stop until you do. Do not let other convince you to be “realistic”.

Find a path that is right for you! Don’t feel the need to follow what everyone is doing. Do some introspection to see if you are living for yourself or doing what people tell you should do. Do not live like a zombie in a corporate job. Find a career that makes you come alive.

If you dream of settling space, if you dream of going “out there”, then don’t settle for anything else. We can do it. And you can be a big part of it.!