| Fanning coordinates experiments on International Space Station | |
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Looking at the world from space, there are no national borders. That’s also how it is for Katie Fanning (mathematics ’04), whose job as a shuttle operations controller at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., means she helps coordinate the transport and execution of science experiments to, from and on board the International Space Station. The Payload Operations Center where Fanning works at Marshall is described as providing “the heartbeat for International Space Station science operations.” It serves as a science command post that links Earth-bound researchers around the world with their experiments and astronauts aboard the International Space Station, and even the most seemingly simple experiments require an intensive level of coordination in order to transfer them to space, Fanning said. |
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“Our portion of planning for experiments that go up begins at least a year in advance,” she said. Most recently, she worked with the European Space Agency to coordinate transfer operations for an experiment originating from the Leibniz Universitat in Hanover, Germany, to study the root bending of thale cress plants in microgravity. “It was exciting and interesting to see first-hand how another space agency operates,” she said. “Working with people from across the world really helps me to understand that my job is just one component within a much bigger system of organization.” In addition to the European Space Agency, NASA’s other international partners include the Russian Space Agency, National Space Development Agency of Japan and Canadian Space Agency. As a shuttle operations controller, one of Fanning’s responsibilities is to maintain the daily schedule of science activities and work assignments for the station crew, which means coordinating with NASA planners in Houston and communicating with the astronauts through CAPCOM. “One of my most memorable experiences was listening to and communicating with the astronauts on the space station the first time I worked on the console,” she said. “My personal experience shows that a Tennessee Tech education provides the skills to contribute to worldwide efforts,” Fanning concluded. “It offers the best of both worlds, because it’s a small school in a small town, but graduates still have the ability to do great things.” (Spring 2008) |
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