Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
Chris Wade serves as a visiting vehicle integration manager for SpaceX vehicles in the International Space Station Transportation Integration Office, playing a pivotal role in confirming that all vehicle requirements are met in support of SpaceX missions to the ISS. Additionally, he oversees a team responsible for real-time mission support throughout the phases of launch, docking, undocking, and splashdown. This article delves into Chris’s career journey and his experiences at NASA.
Where are you from?
My roots trace back to Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Can you explain your duties at NASA?
My primary responsibility involves managing the integration of SpaceX vehicles with the Commercial Crew and International Space Station Programs. This entails ensuring that all vehicle requirements are fulfilled in a timely manner for upcoming missions to the space station, facilitating the final certification processes that precede launch. Furthermore, I lead a team that monitors mission support activities in real-time during critical operations such as launches and landings.
Chris Wade
Visiting Vehicle Integration Manager for SpaceX Vehicles
How do you describe your position to those unfamiliar with NASA?
I tell them that my job revolves around ensuring SpaceX Dragon vehicles meet all necessary criteria for conducting missions to the International Space Station.
What has been your tenure at NASA?
I have dedicated 25 years to the Johnson Space Center.
What advice would you give young people looking to enter the space sector or NASA?
I encourage young individuals to prioritize STEM education and put in the effort necessary for success. Additionally, pursuing internships at NASA as early as possible is wise, as is considering roles within the contractor workforce.
What led you to NASA?
I entered the space sector through the contractor route. Immediately after finishing college, I worked with Lockheed Martin on robotic assembly analysis for the International Space Station, eventually transitioning to a civil service role at NASA.
Was there a specific individual in the space or aerospace field who inspired your career choice? Or someone you admire now that you work at NASA?
The crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger STS-51-L inspired me to pursue a path with NASA. I distinctly remember watching that launch from my classroom in Mississippi and feeling a desire to contribute to space exploration. When the time came to join NASA, I seized the opportunity without hesitation.
What stands out as your favorite memory at NASA?
My most cherished NASA memory is witnessing my first rocket launch, which was HTV-1 in Kagoshima, Japan.
What do you find most rewarding about sharing information regarding the International Space Station (ISS), and why is it essential for the public to understand its advantages?
I take pride in informing others that the ISS has served as a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit for nearly 25 years, with astronaut crews rotating every six months.
If you could dine with any astronaut, who would you choose?
I would love to have dinner with Ron McNair, a NASA astronaut. Our paths mirror each other in many ways, both hailing from modest beginnings in southern towns. I’m intrigued by the decisions he made that led him to his remarkable journey as an astronaut.
Do you have a memorable space-related experience that stands out to you?
Witnessing the SpaceX Demo-2 Crew Mission reach the ISS is a poignant memory for me. It marked the first time NASA astronauts launched from American soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program nearly a decade earlier.
What key projects have you undertaken at NASA, and which have you enjoyed the most?
Throughout my tenure, I have been involved in various significant projects, including:
- Robotic assembly of the International Space Station
- Robotic visiting vehicle capture
- Certification of cargo and crew Dragon visiting vehicle missions
Of these projects, my favorite has been the robotic visiting vehicle capture initiative, where I collaborated with the Canadian Space Agency to devise a strategy for utilizing the ISS’s robotic arm to capture unmanned resupply vehicles.
What hobbies do you pursue outside of your professional life?
Whenever possible, I enjoy running, reading, listening to audiobooks, and spending quality time with family and friends back in Mississippi.
Do you prefer day launches or night launches?
Day launches appeal to me more.
What is your favorite space-themed movie?
I favor “Armageddon.”
Do you prefer the NASA “worm” logo or the “meatball” logo?
I prefer the “worm” logo.
Every day, groundbreaking research is conducted aboard the ISS that not only pushes the boundaries of space exploration but also delivers invaluable benefits back to those of us on Earth. To stay informed about the latest developments in space station research, you can visit the Station Research & Technology news page, a comprehensive source of updates and multimedia related to individual and collaborative research efforts. For continuous updates, consider following the relevant social media channels on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.
Source
www.nasa.gov