Here is what I build for a living (VIDEO)

[PINGGOLF]

According to the US Government, I'm supposed to tell you that I am a Rocket Scientist...HA......for real though!

But most people giggle when I tell them that and they say...ahhh, your just an old farmers boy who know's how to plant corn and raise cattle...HA!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkXwziPSlkk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkXwziPSlkk[/ame]

NROL26 launched Saturday night at the Cape carrying a satellite for the NRO.

My job consists of installing the brains of the Rocket and testing the Second Stage. That is all I can tell you or Ill have to shoot you! HA

I just thought I would share that with you and if any of you have any ROCKET questions...just ask!

You can alway go to www.ULALaunch.com and see what is going on out here at ULA.

 

[Sonata2009]

National Reconnaissance Office, eh?

So, I guess yer favorite movie is Eagle Eye ? !!!

 

[ConceptVBS]

Wow, I've always wanted to be a rocket scientist but never had the analytic skills to succeed. That is one cool gig.

 

[PINGGOLF]

Wow, I've always wanted to be a rocket scientist but never had the analytic skills to succeed. That is one cool gig.

HA....me neither! I just read blueprints and make it happen!

 

[DanTheMan]

Very cool! Now, if you could install some 'brains' in some of us that ask stupid questions.....

Dan :>)

 

[Sal Collaziano]

It's always good to have a rocket scientist on the forum team.

 

[PINGGOLF]

It's always good to have a rocket scientist on the forum team.

HA!

Now, if I can just figure out the wiring on the ESC control module.........

 

[Sonata2009]

Well' at least we know it doesn't mean ESCape!

 

[DanTheMan]

Well' at least we know it doesn't mean ESCape!

Or "Ejection Seat Control"!!!!!!

Dan :>)

 

[Poopsicle]

PingGolf has the American. Good job, beautiful wife, nice car. I would love to have the American dream.. of course a little modified.

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[genesis@genesisworld.com]

There we go... ANOTHER reason I like you Matt! I want a ride sometime 'rocketman'!

 

[PINGGOLF]

There we go... ANOTHER reason I like you Matt! I want a ride sometime 'rocketman'!

HA! Lets Roll!

Im sure you have heard about the Aries project that is expected to send man back to the moon. Well, I think that project will be coming to a halt rather quickly when Obama figures out how much mooola he will be spending on it. Well, word around here, is that we will modify either our Delta IV or Atlas V to carry them to the moon at a fraction of the cost. Our rockets have proven themselves reliable on many occasions!

Our rockets are called EELV's (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles) which basically mean: the go up, break apart (controlled ordinance explosions), burn up upon re-entry and the huge tanks sink in the oceans and become artificial reefs. That tends to make the GREEN people smile.

So, your trip to space may come sooner than you think!!!

 

[GS300rich]

I bet its a lot of fun working on that for a living. Congrats on the great job

 

[BigElm]

Good stuff Matt... I always had a personal interest in science. To be a part of a project with that magnitude, I'm sure it gives you a sense of pride. Especially when it's a success.

So are you the guys who continue to tell us there's life on Mars?

 

[PINGGOLF]

So are you the guys who continue to tell us there's life on Mars?

LOL!!!

No Sir. I just assist them by puting their satellite's where they need to go.

I will believe it when they bring back something that wiggles, toots, and looks like cyclops! HA!

 

[njohnson]

Do you think that NASA is going backwards with its new rocket design? It seems like they had forward momentum when they went from the capsule design in the apollo missions to the current shuttle which I thought would logically be followed by a vehicle that could take off like a plane without rocket boosters and a giant fuel tank. Now they are going backwards to the capsule type designs. It seems like the science should have progressed further in the last 40 years since we progressed so much in the first few.

Is there a program for an alternate fuel instead of rocket fuel such as a self contained renewable energy source?

 

[PINGGOLF]

Do you think that NASA is going backwards with its new rocket design? It seems like they had forward momentum when they went from the capsule design in the apollo missions to the current shuttle which I thought would logically be followed by a vehicle that could take off like a plane without rocket boosters and a giant fuel tank. Now they are going backwards to the capsule type designs. It seems like the science should have progressed further in the last 40 years since we progressed so much in the first few.

Is there a program for an alternate fuel instead of rocket fuel such as a self contained renewable energy source?

Well, that was the plan, of course the capsule would be really up to date.

As far as a plane type vehicle, there are several concepts out there that would do just that. However, it will take years to perfect and tons of money to make it happen. Our vehicles, however, are proven reliable but the vast amount of successful launches speaks for itself.

As far as the fuel goes. We fuel the rockets with Hydrogen and Oxygen. The byproduct, which you can see for miles, is water. I think it is as GREEN as can be. BUT...the second stage, which carries the satellites to their optimum orbit, contains Hydrazine. A very deadly chemical and if you remember back in February of last year, we blew up a satellite headed back to our atmosphere that contained large amounts of the chemical.

Hydrazine is a wonderful propellant. While the 2nd stage is perfecting its pitch/yaw etc...the chemical is used to do so. It only takes a small amount to have major thrust.

In fact, you should see the guys at the Cape when they fill the Hydrazine bottles. They are totally decked out in a self-contained breathing apparatus and a fireproof suit and they make some big money to do what they do.

Thanks for asking! I enjoy answering these types of questions!

MAtt

 

[genesis@genesisworld.com]

LOL!!!

No Sir. I just assist them by puting their satellite's where they need to go.

I will believe it when they bring back something that wiggles, toots, and looks like cyclops! HA!

MAYBE we'll find one of our cars there! After all , it IS a Genesis!