ann mickles - Aerospace Engineer at NASA Kennedy Space Center (retired)
" Well, what an absolutely fantastic honor to have been a part of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program at the Kennedy Space Center! As a Thermal Protection Engineer, I worked on, in, and around the Orbiters, during ferry flights, launches and landings for almost 25 years: 112 Space Shuttle missions with so many memories created for which I will always fondly cherish.
When the Shuttle Program ended, a new position opened for the NASA’s Launch Services Program that launches NASA’s science missions on commercial rockets such as Atlas V, Delta II and SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Now my position entailed working structural/fairing/separation systems and propulsion systems. Just to name a few missions, we have launched Mars Rovers, GOES weather satellites and OSIRIS Rex which was NASA’s mission to the asteroid Bennu and bring a sample back to Earth. So many missions, even more science.
Besides working on rockets, I authored and was plenary speaker for “Space Shuttle Columbia Reconstruction Effort: An Analysis of the Thermal Protection System” for the 4th International Symposium for Atmospheric Entry Vehicles. Also was a recipient to a Zero-G flight where experiments were performed in a microgravity environment.
Since retirement, I have launched Blue Planet Photos to share my 33 years of Space Shuttle and commercial rocket memories, while being part of the KSCIA International Space Academy educational programs, supporting Science Days, and providing public outreach, one step at a time."
Contact: [email protected]
When the Shuttle Program ended, a new position opened for the NASA’s Launch Services Program that launches NASA’s science missions on commercial rockets such as Atlas V, Delta II and SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Now my position entailed working structural/fairing/separation systems and propulsion systems. Just to name a few missions, we have launched Mars Rovers, GOES weather satellites and OSIRIS Rex which was NASA’s mission to the asteroid Bennu and bring a sample back to Earth. So many missions, even more science.
Besides working on rockets, I authored and was plenary speaker for “Space Shuttle Columbia Reconstruction Effort: An Analysis of the Thermal Protection System” for the 4th International Symposium for Atmospheric Entry Vehicles. Also was a recipient to a Zero-G flight where experiments were performed in a microgravity environment.
Since retirement, I have launched Blue Planet Photos to share my 33 years of Space Shuttle and commercial rocket memories, while being part of the KSCIA International Space Academy educational programs, supporting Science Days, and providing public outreach, one step at a time."
Contact: [email protected]
