CHATTER Astronaut Nicole Stott’s three-month mission on the International Space Station

n August 2009, astronaut and College of Engineering grad Nicole Stott (’87, DB) took her fi rst spacefl ight, launching to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard STS-128 Space Shuttle Discovery. I The Discovery crew delivered 33,000 pounds of equip- ment to the ISS, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a sleeping compartment and a treadmill. Stott made her fi rst-ever spacewalk on Sept. 1, when she and a fellow astronaut replaced a tank of ammonia, which is used to cool the ISS and expel the heat gener- ated by its residents and systems. During the six-hour In a recent interview, Stott said Embry-Riddle spacewalk, they also retrieved science experiments for Nicole Stott receives the Eagle played a “huge role” in preparing her for a career Discovery to take back to Earth for analysis. of Excellence Award from with NASA. “The College of Engineering faculty President John Johnson. In other work, Stott used the space station’s robotic have valuable hands-on experience in the industry arm to grapple and retrieve a Japanese cargo ship, the that they transmit to students in the classroom fi rst time this procedure has been accomplished at the space and through research projects,” she said. “At Embry-Riddle, I also station. Stott also helped assemble the treadmill delivered to the learned how to function as part of a team, one of the core skills NASA ISS aboard Discovery, a com- requires of astronaut candidates.” plex piece of equipment to Since her selection as an astronaut candidate in 2000, Stott put together in a weightless has visited the Daytona Beach Campus many times to speak with environment. incoming students, including a recent “visit” from space (see “Nicole Stott returned to Earth Stott inspires students from space” on next page). She also serves as on Space Shuttle Atlantis on a member of the College of Engineering’s Industry Advisory Board. Nov. 27. She is the fi nal astro- During her February 2009 visit to campus as the guest speaker naut to be both delivered to for Embry-Riddle’s National Engineers Week, she received the Stott fl oats through her fi rst and retrieved from the ISS via Embry-Riddle Alumni Eagle of Excellence Award in recognition of spacewalk with fl ying colors.. Space Shuttle. her professional accomplishments.

Photos courtesy of NASA A room with a view or students, alumni and staff On what space smelled like: “It smells who wanted to know what it like a mild version of an overheating was like to live on the ISS, car radiator.” astronaut Nicole Stott had Fplenty of observations to off er. Here On what Earth looks like from space: are some of the highlights: “It’s like a big, glowing, colorful light bulb against the blackest black I’ve On what she enjoyed ever seen.” most about being in space: “Floating On what was the hardest thing about Above: View from Space and fl ying to get daily life in space: “Pulling myself away Shuttle Discovery as it departs ISS. around and doing from the windows to actually get to Earth observa- work. It’s just so spectacularly beauti- Right: A view from the ISS. tions through the ful. Every place you look on the planet windows.” has some beautiful thing to see.”

4 LIFT SPRING 2010 www.ERAUalumni.org

FdERSP10_04-5_Chatter.indd 4 1/21/10 6:15:00 PM Photo courtesy of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

ALTIMETER Nicole Stott inspires More news and events at students from space Embry-Riddle this quarter: rbiting 200 miles above Earth at more than 17,500 miles per hour in the International Space Station • Jamail (ISS), astronaut and engineering grad Nicole Stott Larkins (’07, (’87, DB) took a few minutes to share her other- DB) was ranked Oworldly experience with Embry-Riddle students, faculty, #1 among Inc. staff and the Daytona Beach community. Magazine’s An estimated 200 people gathered in the Willie Miller 30 Under 30 list Center on Nov. 5 to hear Stott spend a much-too-brief nine of America’s Embry-Riddle students could soon learn minutes responding to questions posed by Embry-Riddle Coolest Young to operate unmanned aircraft like the Predator B (above), thanks to a new students. The signal, relayed from a ham radio opera- Entrepreneurs. simulation program being developed by tor in Australia who contacted the ISS while it passed university researchers. over the continent, came through loud and clear as Stott • U.S.News described what few have had the privilege to experience & World (see “A room with a view” on page 4 for highlights). Report ranks Unmanned fl ight Stott also had a few encouraging words for students Aerospace who might be thinking about a career in space. When Engineering asked about Embry-Riddle’s role in her success, Stott program at operations training was quick to point out the importance of her Embry- Embry-Riddle Riddle education. Best in Nation goes virtual “[Embry-Riddle] is a place from an educational and for 10th Embry-Riddle researchers develop unique social standpoint that will prepare you for whatever it straight year. blend of simulations for Unmanned Aerial is you want to do,” Stott said. “Just the fact that I very Systems with real-time air traffi c fortunately chose Embry-Riddle was the fi rst big step for • Space physi- me. And [as students] you have already made that step by cist Katariina Embry-Riddle may soon be training the Unmanned being there.” Nykyri wins Aerial System (UAS) operators of the future, thanks to While not every student scheduled was able to ask a prestigious a new program developed by university researchers. question before radio contact was lost, all were thrilled to NSF CAREER Using fl ight simulators that can bring together hear Stott’s fi rsthand account of space. Divya Kamania, a Award for real-world air traffi c with simulated UAS operations, freshman with an interest in a space career, said it best: research on fl ight students and researchers will have a level of “Every second we had with her was inspirational.” giant space aircraft operation experience that is not available any- hurricanes. where else today. Embry-Riddle aircraft equipped with Automatic • The National Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) will play Aeronautic a central role in training. Using ADS-B, Embry-Riddle Association aircraft are actively tracked on a graphical overlay of (NAA) honored the airport and airspace that’s updated every second. Embry-Riddle By providing the UAS pilot with live aircraft traffi c Aeronautical and weather information, the operator can see a three- Science dimensional graphical adaptation of the aircraft, the Professor airport and the surrounding area. Thomas This concept also will be used to study how to keep Connolly with piloted and unpiloted aircraft separate in the busy its Wesley National Airspace System (NAS). L. McDonald “This type of research benefi ts the whole fl ying Elder community by increasing safety through realism and Statesman reducing the costly development process by fi elding of Aviation tools and procedures that have been thoroughly Award. Nicole Stott shows her Eagle pride with an Embry-Riddle alumni fl ag, which vetted,” says Ted Beneigh, Embry-Riddle aeronautical will be signed by the entire crew and returned to the Alumni Association to be science professor. framed and displayed in the Alumni offi ce.

www.ERAUalumni.org SPRING 2010 LIFT 5

FdERSP10_04-5_Chatter.indd 5 1/21/10 6:15:21 PM