Talking toSharon McDouglereally make you find like you too were there when history was being made . The retired NASA technician function during the Space Shuttle Era . As chief of the Crew Escape Equipment , she managed more than 25 people in charge of suiting up the astronauts and make up sure the equipment was all working aright . They were also the masses that had to physically strap the spaceman into the space shuttlecock before launching and help the crew when they landed back on Earth .
If you are into space exploration history , chances are you have already seen a picture of McDougle , lather in Astronaut Mae Jemison in advance of her historic flight aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12 , 1992 . Now , you get to chance out more about that moment and McDougle ’s trailblazing employment at NASA and beyond .
Can you tell us a bit about what you do ?
Sharon McDougle suiting up Astronaut Mae Jemison ahead of her historic first flight. Image Credit NASA
Of course ! I am a former Space Shuttle Crew Escape Equipment ( CEE ) Suit Technician / Crew Chief / Manager . I was responsible for processing the orange launching / entry suit assemblies fall apart by astronauts which included everything – from their suit , helmet , gloves , liquid cool off garment , communication jacket , boots , harness fabrication , and appurtenant equipment such as survival equipment . I suit up the astronauts for their preparation events , for launch natural action , and recovered them upon bring .
What did it take to get to be a Crew Escape Equipment ( CEE ) suit technician ?
It ask a batch of tough work ! To be a CEE Suit Technician all you really need is basic mechanically skillful skills and to be trainable . Most of the training to be a courtship technician is OJT ( on - the - job training ) . But it help oneself that I had previous experience work with pressure suit from my metre in the Air Force .
Jemison and McDougle walking away from the orbiter at the end of the crew training, ahead of Jemison’s Launch. Image Courtesy of Sharon McDougle via NASA
You certainly made history when suiting up Dr Jemison for her first escape , but you also made story becoming the first female and first Black Crew Chief in CEE , and then becoming the first Black and first cleaning lady director of the CEE processing department . Tell us a bit about your career progression at NASA .
I connect the NASA family in 1990 bring in the Space Shuttle Crew Escape Equipment ( CEE ) department as a suit of clothes technician responsible for process the orange space suits . I was the only Black technician when I began my career . In 1994 I was promoted to the berth of Crew Chief produce me the first woman and first Black CEE Crew Chief . In this berth I was responsible for leading a squad of technician to suit up astronaut crews . I had the honor of leading the first and only all - woman suit technical school crew .
In 2004 I became the only woman and only inglorious soul promoted to the stance of Manager of the CEE department . I manage the team responsible for for suiting up and strapping the cosmonaut into the blank shuttle for launch and recovering the crew upon landing . I held this perspective until the Space Shuttle Program ended in 2011 . I go on working until 2012 to help close - out the program , finish an famous 22 - year career with our country ’s space programme . I accomplish all of this without having a college degree .
But , I began my aerospace career in the Air Force as an Aerospace Physiology Specialist creditworthy for suiting up and welt in the SR-71 and U-2 reconnaissance aircraft pilots for eminent - altitude operations . I also worked with the hypobaric and hyperbaric sleeping room .
You have written a book for children calledSuit Up for Launch with Shay!Can you tell us about the motivation behind thiswork ?
The motivation behind the book is that I ’ve always wanted to drop a line a children ’s Good Book . I utterly enjoy say to children , dress up in costumes , and seeing their little faces light up when I ’m reading to them . So , I decided to block up putting it off and save my script . I had such a cool job , and most people did n’t even hump about it , so I wanted to share it with the masses . fit Up for Launch with Shay!was very gentle for me to indite because it ’s what I spill about all the time when I ’d chaffer schools and community outcome to discuss my career .
I desire nipper to be pep up by our nation ’s space program . I desire to make them aware of another career selection and permit them cognise that being an astronaut is not the only manner to work with and conduce to the space program . In my book , they will learn all about the orange astronaut spacesuit - why it ’s orangish , how they put it on , the different layers , and much more . I also want our baby to see that inglorious people work with the space programme in various position / life history fields .
What advice do you have for younger people who want to follow a similar career path as you ?
My advice is if they know what they want to do start planning toward that career path as soon as possible . hit out to someone in the area you ’d like to follow up on to be your mentor . Always present your best ego and do n’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions . And do n’t be afraid to try something new - if you find that you do n’t wish it , you may deepen your mind - do n’t be afraid to betray . Everyone does n’t have the investment trust to go to college or just does n’t aspire to take care college . There are other options such as the military , trade schools , and certificate program . Please do n’t feel less than or you ’re not good enough if you decide college is not the path you need to take . you’re able to still be successful without a degree . And if you ever determine yourself feeling some type of mode , please screw that your current situation is not your final destination .
