Solar sail Operations Linking Academic Researchers (SOLAR)
Team Bios - Lindsay Gossom
I
am a sophomore in the School of Mechanical Engineering at the fantastic Purdue
University, which is located in the ever exciting and always entertaining
metropolis that is West Lafayette, IN. My
role in this rag tag group of researchers is “Beta Team Coordinator”.
What does that mean you ask? Well,
basically I get to indulge in lengthy conversations with John discussing
important issues such as why the Beta team color should be blue instead of red
because blue, like Beta, begins with the letter “B”.
John and I also share the administrative responsibilities for SOLAR as a
whole. We schedule the meetings,
create timelines, keep records of SOLAR activities, and plan funding strategies
(BTW, we’re always looking for extra $$ to build our project.
Don’t hesitate to contact John or myself if you have money or materials
you wish to part from.). Then
again, if you ask Christian, my role in the team is to write down every single
word that is ever uttered at the meeting and then compile my notes into a neat
little email that is sent out to the team in less than 14 hrs, amazing, I know.
As a whole, I think SOLAR is going to be quite successful.
We have an extremely dedicated group of individuals that are not only
intelligent, but creative as well. A
good mix I’d say. I’m
definitely looking forward to the long-term aspects of this project and the
chance to fly on the infamous ‘Vomit Comet.’
I’m
currently a co-op at NASA Johnson Space Center down in Houston.
For those who don’t know, a co-op position is basically an extended
internship with a single company/organization.
I alternate semesters of work at JSC with semesters of school back at
Purdue. Sure, it’s going to take
me 5 years to graduate, but by then I’ll have two years work experience with
NASA! Working at JSC is the
coolest job ever because it’s a fabulous blend of real engineering work and,
well, Space Camp. My only other
engineering related job experience was this summer; I worked on a research
project with professors at Purdue and served as a counselor during STEP
(Purdue’s engineering camp for upcoming high school seniors). After earning my bachelors in ME, I intend to work for a few
years before going back to get my masters in aerospace engineering followed by a
doctorate in space engineering. After
all that is completed (or at I at least get the masters taken care of) I will
apply and will hopefully be accepted in the NASA astronaut corps.
But, if that falls through, I always have my back-up plan: buy a
houseboat and move to the Caribbean sailing around from island to island for the
rest of my life as a bartender (in this scenario, my friend Boo will be
operating a coffee shop at the back of the boat).
We’ll see. Non-career
aspirations include learning to juggle flaming batons, discovering what a
“boilermaker” really is, and eliminating all traces of my Texas heritage
from my regular speech, namely the word “y’all” (I’ve yet to change my
voicemail message- don’t laugh too hard if you call).
For
good times and relaxation, I enjoy painting, anything outdoors, and long walks
on the beach, seriously (yes, yes, I know Galveston Bay is filled with remnants
of ancient oil spills, and countless jellyfish, not to mention its distinct
aroma, but I am still fascinated by the waves and I like the way the wet sand
feels between my toes.). I have
also rediscovered the wonders of country and western dancing out at Grand
Central Station. Heheh… a
lovely mix of country music, disco, and rock and roll.
Cooking is fun, but as of late, I can’t seem to make anything without
setting off the blasted smoke detector. I’m
contemplating removing the battery.
I’d
like to wrap things up with my favorite joke:
Q.
Why is an elephant big gray and rough?
A.
Because if it was small white and smooth it’d be a Tylenol.
Okay,
maybe the joke’s not for everybody, but I find it ever so amusing.
Have a lovely day!