The Reality of Dreaming

One question I’ve gotten asked by a few folks who read this blog is why I always sign off with “dream big”. I think NASA, collectively, is a group of folks who aren’t afraid to think–and dream–big. Put a man on the moon? Sure, we can do it. Land a rover on Mars? You got it. I think this closing fits the collective theme of what NASA stands for pretty well—but on a more personal level, my involvement in HST has really allowed me to interact with folks who embrace this philosophy on a daily basis. To say that this has been incredibly rewarding and beneficial to me as a young engineer would honestly be a great understatement.

Personally, I was about 9 when I figured out that I wanted to “dream big” and become an engineer when I grew up. More specifically, I decided on aerospace engineering sitting in a movie theatre watching Apollo 13 to celebrate my 11th birthday. I can even go as far as to tell you what scene in the movie (the one where the engineers in mission control are trouble-shooting the air filtration system) led to this decision. It may sound cheesy, but that movie changed my life. Fast forward 13 years and here I am—a “rookie” at Kennedy Space Center providing launch site support for STS-125. Living my dream? You bet; and if I ever doubted it, the last few weeks have really helped to drive the point home.

We’re about a month out from launch right now, so we’re starting to hit some major milestones—from final system walk-downs (that’s NASA-speak for inspections), to the shuttle rolling out to the launch pad. It’s almost like watching a complex, choreographed dance. Every member of the team has a specific task that they need to complete in order for us to launch safely and on time. The amount of team work required—and frequently displayed—is downright amazing. There truly are no “loners” here.

Because so many things need to happen between now and our launch date, a lot of integration work actually follows a parallel schedule instead of happening in line one right after the other. Right now, the carrier teams are getting ready for what we call “canister ops” — this is how we’ll ultimately load our hardware into Atlantis for flight. Each of our carriers will be loaded into a large canister that fits right into Atlantis’ belly, thus allowing us to work off-line from the work flow at the pad. (The orbiter actually rolls out to the pad with an empty payload bay so they can keep their pre-flight tests going without us.) Once we’re ready to go, the canister will be rolled out to the pad where we’ll be integrated into the payload bay for flight. From everyone I’ve talked to who’s seen it before, this is one of the neater I&T operations that we perform during our preparation activities. I can’t wait to get an up-close look at it in the next few weeks.

So that’s the latest and greatest from sunny (and humid!) Florida. I think this picture says it best:

Until next time….

Dream big,
Meg

51 thoughts on “The Reality of Dreaming”

  1. …we’re keeping all of our fans aimed your way to blow the hurricanes away from KSC…

    Make the dream happen…

  3. Hello, I just signed up so I really don’t know if I’m doing this right. But, the thing about. DREAM BIG. Is a great thing to say. Ever sense I was 11 years old. I’ve wanted to be in Nasa. I’m interested of all the things out there! That we haven’t yet explored. I’ve been doing my best to learn more and more about science, Rocks, Stars, Black Holes Etc. I just hope I dream big and someday. I’ll get to here thoughs words. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1…Lift off! Or I get to study and find more things in space. THATS WHY I DREAM BIG!

    (I’M 13)

  4. Atlantis…Shuttles are my favorite spacecraft and my dream. I love them so much. I am 17 years old. And i will come to USA and go to space one day. I want to go to space with a space shuttle. But that is impossible. Because They won’t be in my age(date/time). I can go with Ares.
    Atlantis! It is my favorite shuttle. My favorite shuttle was Discovery. But it is Atlantis now. I love Atlantis more. I don’t know why. But i can tell , i saw Atlantis live at sky. I saw it after sunset. I knew it is atlantis. Because i saw it from NasaTv when it pass over Turkey.( Sts-117 Mission ). That was last 2 laps turn around Earth when i saw it.
    I wish lucks to All Nasa.

    C.O.S.M.O_S ( America / Explorer / Pathfinder / Enterprise / Columbia / Challanger / Discavery / Atlantis / Endeavour )

  5. hi!!! iam new here n want 2 share this BIG DREAM thing with u all.i have dreamt to be in nasa ever since i was 13 yrs old.i read all the books related to black holes,new updates in the field of space n many more things.i just love all the things out there.whenever i tell anyone about my BIG DREAM they just say that it is not a child’s play to be there -NASA .this word fills me with excitement and thats the reason why i dream for it.may be i am the next lady astronaut…..who knows…..

  6. Hi I have always been fasinated about what you people do there at NASA. I am a retired vet from the Air Force I retired from the military in 1982. I have always been interested in what NASA is doing. I have not missed a launch I have watch even from the beginnig when I was a young man in my teens. I admire the determination of the dream that has been accomplished in the many years. Keep the dream going do not ever lose it. I am looking to the time when this country will again put man back on the moon I do hope that someday I will be able to watch it happen again thanks for people like you that keep the dream alive and to keep freedom free, God bless all of you at NASA.

  8. I admire your work NASA.I’m 30 years old Mechanical Engineer from R.Macedonia and offten read youre home page every day, read about phoenix,cassini..I often askew my self how do you calculate specific temperature cappacity on mars(great temperature variation)?How mehanic arm on phoenix work in such conndition?Gravity on mars?You have callculated everything you must have big team.
    I like work in NASA but don’t know howe??
    NASA YOURE THE BEST.

    Aleksandar

  9. I’m an Italian boy, and I’m 19. Next week I’m going to Politecnico in Milan to begin to study aerospace engineering. Space is my great passion, and I’ve been interested in NASA activity and missions since I was a child. I hope one day to come and work in America; that’s my big dream. And please, Meg, keep on dreaming, ever. Good luck for the upcoming Atlantis’ mission!

    Alessio

  10. A lot of people don’t believe you went to the Moon. Why not point the Hubble at the Moon and show one of the rovers,flags,or blast off platforms. I know that they can do special effects today that could make it look like we were looking at the Moon. But why not give it a try?

  11. I have a dream that is as big as yours! I am 55 years old and have enrolled in, Ashford University, seeking my B.A. in Organizational management. With this degree I plan on starting a private sector space research and exploration team.Go to ecvegghead.com and see my dream. I don’t want to see the shuttles in parks or bone yards. Let’s put Ion drive on one and go to Jupiter.I have always been told, ” if you have a dream, Go for it!”
    good travels to Hubble and I will be watching!

  13. Hi! I really admire what NASA is doing and I always try to stay posted to the latest events. I’m a student and although I’m studying languages, I’m interested in everything that concerns space. Space science is a blessed one and it should be brought closer to all people. You from NASA do achieve that and I thank you for that. My respect.

  15. It really ungorgatable nasa’s work.
    Every person try to save our life in this earth,
    but nasa want to save all life in earth………
    I think nasa work on the base of humanity………….!
    And they discovered new thing for the Earth.
    I wish to thank for NASA.
    and good luck to all Astronaut they work for the NASA……

  17. Two things –

    First of all, what time of day does the Shuttle lift off to service the Hubble telescope? I know it’s due to lift off sometime on October 10th, but I don’t know what time of day they are planning to lift off. Anyone know?

    Second – Chad, you asked about getting an aerospace engineering degree. I looked into this myself, before I changed over to a computer science degree. I think that your best shot is with Embry-Riddle, in Florida. They offer a top-notch degree in aerospace engineering. I understand that FIT (Florida Institute of Technology) also offers a pretty good aerospace engineering program. Best of luck to you!

  18. Hi meg, thanks for your post. Throught your eyes and words seems to be there with you all. Keep’on writing. Francesco from Italy

  20. Hi Meg!
    I’m really happy to see that some people achieve their dreams.
    So, I hope you can do the best you can.
    Congratulations, I really think you are a very good person.

    Kisses from Portugal:
    Neide

  21. To answer Pete C’s question: the launch of Atlantis on STS-125 HST 4th Servicing Mission is currently scheduled for 12:43 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2008. Go Atlantis!!

  23. NASA PAO –

    Thanks for the info!

    By the way, it would be great if you could tell the website
    people at NASA.GOV to post times along with dates for all
    future launches. This would allow people that live in the
    area, and those wanting to see a launch on vacation, better
    planning opportunities.

    Hope you have a super day!

  24. I love America You are Always My thoughts I love you Whole this country USA.I love NASA. Nev York. Ok Photo. STS-125.

  25. Why don’t use the new Space Shuttle Spacecraft to go to Moon, Venus, Mercury and Mars? Nasa Esa-Asi together could do it. Ok?

  26. Am an avid NASA enthusiast.we Filipinos as not as lucky as other countries who has the facilities to watch as your rocket flew over the horizon.Some day I may visit your lunching pad and be able to see the actual lift-off of shuttle Atlantis of any other rockets for that matter thou we are thousands miles away from
    Florida.Every now and then I visit your website but is very good that I see the actual moment of the spacecraft moving upward going to outer space.

    Keep up the NASA people.GOD BLESS YOU ALL

  27. Hallo Meg,

    Quite honestly, as a young Aerospace Engineer, your “dream big” definately has come true. I support your courage and your work.

    I would like to thank you on behalf of NASA giving the world the opportunity to share what we know and what we can imagine what NASA is capable of through this iteractive blogg.

    I love NASA.I’m always at NASA.GOV.

    I an exited about STS 125 for Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 4-Gyroscopes.

    Thank you.

    Shimron Sakwa,
    Nairobi Kenya,
    East Africa

  29. I love the idea of dreaming big because the one who dreams is the one who truly lives. I am currently studying geology and hope to one day work for NASA. I believe I can get there but now im figuring out how I can. Any one with advice please let me know.

    Destined to Dream

  32. I’m glad to see that this country came to it’s senses and realized how important this telescope really is to the research of astronomy and to those who trully want to know and explore the universe. To have shut this down would have been a major disgrace to us and most importantly to the man for which it was named for.

  33. meg,

    I also dream like you to do these work but i m not there. But I salute U. U dream and u have no fear for any fear.
    best of luck.

    Sushant
    Nepal

  34. Hi Meg: I appreciated reading your comments but I wish I could share your feelings—but—as a avid disciple of NASA for most of its life I am very disappointed that the leaders of your agency do not share your outlook—-I lived the rise of NASA during its heady years and it seems that the dreams were replaced by caution and risk analysis—-why don’t we have a moon rocket?–why don’t we have a colony on the moon?–instead we have a unfinished space station and in a short two years not even a way to get there—man–we can’t even drop a new mockup out of an airplane and have the parchutes work—–Maybe we have been doing too much dreaming and not enough work!!!!!

  38. Hubble its self is a great dream and its wonderfull we will be keeping this dream alive for many more years.
    Keep it up everyone down at NASA

  39. I love the Space Program, and have started to write a weekly post on my blog about it. I have studied Apollo, read about Apollo 1, was in like 1st, or 2nd grade when Challenger fell from the sky, and I cried the day Columbia completed her final mission. Many men, and women have given their “Last Full Measure” for the furtherment of the Space Program. And I bet every one of them dreamed big!! They would tell us to keep dreaming big! President Kennedy dreamed big too. We went to the Moon in less than 10 years in the 1960’s, why is it taking longer this time? I think many Americans have lost sight of dreaming big. I’m hoping to continue my college education this coming Spring. I want to be a photojournalist, but still Physics, and Astronomy are in the back of my head. I even looked up the Physics classes at Missouri State as my computer read out loud the other people’s comments on your post. Space inspires me, the way Schubert’s Ave Maria, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, or Stravinsky’s Fire Bird inspires me!! I wish you all luck at NASA, and either as a Physisist, or a member of the press, I hope to make it to Cape Canaveral one day soon!!

  40. Catch and release.

    I don’t really follow that motto. I’m actually studying Chemistry and then Analytical Chemistry so I can work at NASA. Believe me, I’m doing my best to “Dream big” as you wrote. Is really tough to have my age and still, I’m young, but I will finish my bachelor degree and master degree in Chemistry. I catalog myself as one of those persons that want something so bad that they’ll even reach the stars, not literally, but still, to achieve that dream. One day I’ll be in front of NASA Headquarters and I swear, I’ll cry so bad… but I guess it’ll last days until I realize ” Oh my God. I’m actually aspiring to this spot, I can’t throw it away.” It’ll be tears of happiness. I aspire to many things and I know that one day or another I’ll be working at NASA as a chemist. 🙂

    Thanks for the article, Meg.

  42. GO ATLANTIS!! all the good luck and best wishes from Pakistan are with Atlantis!!! and keep up the great work! I wish you guys will one day even reach Pluto! And like i won’t be alive to see your space shuttle land on Pluto! 😉

  45. hubble space telescope is the most incredible scientific mission pursued by man
    the yield of relevant information is truly an inspiration

  49. I justread that if Atlantis does get damaged, Endeavor will rescue the crew but their just going to let the space shuttle go to waste in the pacific.

    WHY!!!!!!!!!

    Y not provide it as an incentive for private space flight.
    If a private space fight company gets to Atlantis, they can keep it.

    Yay future of exploration.

    I wanna be an astronaut and go to the moon, but I wouldn’t mind having my own space shuttle as a back up plan.

    Or maybe it could become the first totally orbital craft, never to return to the Earth. Or maybe the first bit of a new space station.

    PLENTY OF THINGS BETTER than tossing it into the Pacific!!!!

    NASA Please LISTEN!!!

  50. Hello Megan,

    I think what you are doing is quite awesome and just try to imagine what your grandpa bill would think, and the only thing that comes to mind is that I would be on the truck with him a day when driving down the highway he would be reading the billboards and think what you are doing is just something you would read about on that billboard on could only happen in the movies, well today you are the star of his billboard, sign off, great article Megan, launch your dreams.

    I enjoyed reading your blog. Bravo Atlantis

    Herb

  51. Hi Meg hope you are doing well, we have been having some beautiful weather so I though perhaps it was time for you to LAUNCH YOUR DREAMS.

    I know you are very busy but if you find the time could you publish any updates on your blog.

    Best regards
    Sincerely,
    Herb & Mary McCorry

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