Carol Davies - 10/22/96


Good morning! This is Carol and I'm ready to answer your questions. I'm
working on a new exciting project: the X-33, an experimental vehicle to
replace the Space Shuttle.

***

Can you explain more about the X-33 and also why you always name them with
letter and number?

The x stands for Experimental. And the numbers just keep going up. For
example, we are also working on the X-35. (The X-34 was cancelled)

Do the other numbers also stand for certain things - like I heard about
some SJ or ST somthing in another chat?

STs stands for Space Transport System, another name for the Shuttle. I
really don't know most of the acronyms.

How long will it take to make the X35? When will it be launched? How is it
different from the space shuttle that we currently have? 

The X-33 will take off vertically and land horizontally. It will not go
into space (if the experiment works, a larger version called a RLV will be
built that will go into space) The X-33 should be flying bu 1999!

What will the X33 be used for? It's not a space vehicle is it?

The X-33 is an experimental vehicle that looks and flies (we hope) just
like a real space vehicle. If it works, the large version will replace the
shuttle.

The X-33 will be a half-size model from the final spacecraft. The main
contractor to design and build it is Lockheed Martin.It is hoped that by
2005, a new fleet of RLV's will replace the shuttles and the expendable
rockets we use to put a lot of satellites in space now. 

How will the living quaters of the X-33 be different from the space
shuttel we have now?

The X-33 will not be manned, but the RLV will be. I haven't seen a design
for theliving quarters though. Good question: I will have to ask.

What is the RLV? 

The RLV stands for the Reusable Launch Vehicle and it will replace the
Space Shuttle. The X-33 is the experimental space craft that is being
designed to see if the technology will work before building the
RLV itself.

I was asked earlier how the X-33 differs from the Space Shuttle. Well, it
will be a single-stage-to-orbit.
That is, no fuel tanks to throw away. It will be just like a plane with
lots and lots of fuel on take-off.

How will the X33 keep itself fueled then?

The X-33 will take as much fuel as it needs along with it. Once it's in
orbit, it won't need much more fuel. Just enough to maneuver.

Is this kind of like the Harrier?

Good analogy about the Harriet. That's a small plane that takes off
vertically, rather like a helicopter, but
the X-33 will take off vertically just like the Space Shuttle.

Is the X-33 going to be equiped with aero-spike engines and if so how do
they function? 

What are aero-spikes and how come your vice principal- hunter woods- know
so much about space craft - our vice principal s embarrassed!

Our assistant principal was a science teacher. 

An engine person I am not! But, I have heard them talk about aero-spike
engines though I know nothing about them. They will use Lox and LH2. There
will be two engines on the X-33 and 7 on the RLV.

How much does it cost to make a X-33?

I went to a talk the other day when the cost was mentioned. Compared to
almost anything else, it wasincredably cheap, but for the moment, the
actual number eludes me.

Why do different space craft take off differently - is it because of the
speed they need to take off?

Spacecraft take off vertically because of the force that they need to
leave the surface. 

***

Do you actually do graphic designs of your vehicles with the silicon
graphic machine? How much do you know about computer graphics?

Yes, we do design the vehicles using SGI graphics. Especially since we
need the shape of the vehicle in order to compute pressure, temperature on
the surface etc. I know how to use the software, but know nothing about
the insides of the machine!

***

Do you use more math in your work and were you always good at it?

I do LOTS of math at work, and I was always quite good at it.

***

Was the sage technicl paper contest for women the first one or was it the
first time women got to enter?

It was the first time that the contest occurred. It was organised by the
Society of Women engineers to showcase the women of NASA. The winners went
to Orlando and had an inside tour of the shuttle facilities.

***

Do you think most of your experience is learned on the job or from school
and classes?

The experience comes from the job. I learned a lot of mine 'hands on'
especially the public speaking part. And, I've never learned the typing
part like I'm doing now!

***

What are your kids studying?

My daughter has just finished her MBA and my son is still making up his
mind. I think his fourth choice at a major is Regional Planning!

***

Why did you make the decision to become a scientist? 

I became a scientist because I was good at Math: so I went to University
to get a math degree, and it just went on from there.

***

Was it difficult to get the job at NASA? Did you have many other job
opportunites? What does it mean to be a contractor and not a NASA
employee?

I was very lucky to get the job at NASA. It is easier to get in a s
acontractor as I did. Civil Service jobs are more rare.

What is the difference between a civil servant job and a contractor?

The difference between a contractor and a civil servant is very little. In
fact, you would have a hard time to tell which is which. officailly we are
not meant to share offices, and our pay checks come from somewhere else.
Also, it's easier to cancel a contractor's job (BUT, I've been here for 28
years, and still going.....)

***

What is the ratio of women to men in your office? 

Good question!! There are two women and 30 men.
Only 2 women - so things haven't changed much!

***

Would you say that you are an intellectual family - your kids sound smart
too. What kinds of things did you do together as they were growing up?

No we are not an intellectual family. I think we are more into sports.
(Especially Malcolm, my son) My husband has a PHD but we both came from
families where we were the FIRST
to go to college.

I guess we mean your immediate family. Did you spend a lot of time reading
with your kids or doing things to help them learn? Our teacher says she
bets you didn't watch much tv.

No. not too much TV (but I did watch a lot of sports!). . 

***

What does it mean to have a patent and what do you do with it?

A patent means that I have legally invented something and it's given a
number and no-one else can invent the same thing and get credit for it. IF
we ever send lots of spacecraft to Mars, maybe I'll get some royalties,
but I'm not holding my breath!. 

***

We also read about some other women who get to work part time too - do you
work from home sometimes?

I'm sorry to say, in my field nothing much has changed. And, it's such a
shame. I have been able to work part time to coordinate with bringing up
my kids. Such a great opportunity!

I do work from home sometimes, but not often (if my kids were sick for
example) I like to he interaction with my colleagues.

***

If you create the patent while yo work at NASA can you get the royalties
or do they belong to NASA?

Good question about the royalties. I think we do get something (I did get
a nice check for the patent ($1000)) but NASA does have the royalties.

*** 

How far in the future do you design for?

We used to design way into the future, but with the latest cut-backs at
NAS there is more emphasis an getting things done 'better, faster,
cheaper" and not so much on esoteric thinking.

***

How do hydrogen and oxygen become a liquid? 

OK: Mr. Fratelli: please sign on when we have a chemist on line!!

***

When you think back to your first work at NASA in 1968 did you think you
would be working on projects like this now - we mean the technology we
have now. What do you think will be different with NASA space technology
in 30 years?

In 1968 the major difference was the computers. My pocket calculator has
about as much power as the computer did then! The difference is that now
we can solve differential equations numerically and so design by computer
is possible. Wind tunnels are very limited. Computer codes can change a
number here and there, and so you can see what will happen if you do this
instead of that.

***

Thanks to Mrs. Davies from all of us at Hunters Woods! We love the voice
and style in your writing and your good sense of humor. We feel like you
are right here in the room chatting with us. Goodbye.... And thanks for
being able to understand our spelling. 


I have one piece of advice for students (well, I probably have a lot more
but..): speak up in class! I attend lots of meetings, and if you are
scared to speak because you don't want to feel 'silly or stupid' then
no-one will take notice of you and you may not get the respect you
deserve. 


Thanks everyone: I enjoyed talking to you all. I am off to a presentation
on a Neptune Planetary mission. See you all next time.