The Right Stuff???????

Not the Vomit Comet, the Weightless Wonder

Up before dawn, 3 crazy people jogging down Bayshore Blvd. at 5:15, (Joe, Lyle, Monica...yes, Laura, Joe!)  We made it to our NASA check-in by 7:45.  Being on time seems to be a major issue around here.
There was some discussion at some point about whether this was a psychological or physiological shakedown.  We knew we had the psychology part aced, (no comments, please) it was the physical test we had to endure this morning: sitting from 8-11:45, learning how expanding bodily gases create high pressure in a low pressure environment (on board aircraft at high altitude), which can result in forceful exits from the human body.  Let's discuss vomit.  The word on the street is that this aircraft is no longer to be called the "Vomit Comet."  It is now the "Weightless Wonder,"because, NASA insists, only 10 % of  participants will hurl.  IF, and this is a big IF, the flyers will just listen and follow directions, a task at which, in NASA's experience, teachers are really, really bad. Our own Marsha was chosen to be twirled in a chair to demonstrate the disconnect between eye, ear, brain, and evidently, various other body parts, in an attempt to induce staggering.  Being a veteran of previous zero G flight, (she didn't puke), this experiment was unsuccessful, to the obvious disappointment of our trainer.

"Is that the spot you wanted me to point too, because that was easy."

Joe and Lyle checking out logistics.

Following a run through Subway, we arrive at Ellington Field, where we test our Very Special Security Tags to get into our hanger, that can be a Very Dangerous Place.  Teams get "strikes" for Not Following the Rules.  Like: Being Late, Crossing the Yellow Lines, Touching the Pretty Planes, Going Anywhere without an Escort, or Taking a Picture in the Wrong Direction toward Homeland Security, where men with guns seem to have little sense of humor.  Two strikes and we are out.  One team got a strike for being late. The NASA people are strict, but fun.  Perhaps the fact that it costs $41,000 an hour to fly us makes them a bit picky.

Testing pump with Christie

Ok, now why are we here, other than to be in one of the coolest places on earth, which is actually very hot.  Oh, the experiment. We spent the afternoon identifying and solving, hopefully, a couple of little glitches.  Our mentor, cute Christie Varghese, cheered us on as "Thin Mint" (really) explained what he thought would happen to our water.  At the end of two hours, we decided the situation is well in hand.  So, there, Thin Mint!
Tomorrow is a break from military precision, Peggy to visit her son in Houston; Marsha, Lyle, and Joe, to babysit Monica on Galveston Beach.  This task will take all 3 of them.