Good Morning Carol Thanks for being on with us. Are you ready now?

Good morning Tish! I'm ready to chat.

When do you think man will go to Mars? Benedetta Marinucci, 10
Johannesburg South Africa

Good morning Benedetta (although it must be afternoon/evening where you
are?) We could send man to Mars soon, but it will need a lot of funding.
Unmanned missions will be on their way soon.

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What are you working on now is it the x-33?

Hi Jaime! Yes, I'm still on the X-33 team AND the X-38 team.

What are the x33 and x38 and what are they used for?

The X-38 is a crew return vehicle. It is for emergencies to bring back the
crew from the Space Station. The X-33 will replace the Space Shuttle if it
proves viable.

Can you tell us more about the x33 and how it will work as an emergency
return vehicle?

The X-38 is the crew return vehicle. It will be parked at the Space Sation
and will be able to leave at short notice and land in many locations in
case a crew member gets sick, or the Staion is hit by meteorites, or any
other terrible things you can think of!

Can you tell us more about what the Aero-Assisted Space Transfer Vehicle
is?

To travel to and from planets, spacecraft have to lift off into space at
high speed, but then have to slow down when they reach their destination.
This takes LOTS of fuel, but if you use the atmosphere (i.e.
aero-assisted) to cause friction to slow down the vehicle, it saves a lot
of fuel. (And, I mean A LOT)

What is your favorite space craft that you helped design?

My favorite vehcile I helped design was called a bent-biconic. Dr. Park
and I received a patent for it. It could be used as part of a Mars
mission.

What is the bent-biconic?

A bent-biconic consists of two cones joined together at an angle. The
front is blunted by a sphere.

What is the bent-biconic used for and how would it be used in a mars
mission?

The bent biconic vehicle could be used to bring home the astronauts from
Mars. They wouldn't need fuel to enter the Earth's orbit since the
atmosphere could be used instead. (A little would be needed for
adjustments, but that's all)

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Who else uses the research you do?

I have created several computer programs that are used by many
universities, and aerospace companies.

The program I'm most famous for is the SAGE code. It is used by hundreds
of people and it adapts grids to solutions. I could explain it more
clearly with more time, so if anyone is interested, e-mail me later.

How come NASA pays for other university and other companies research?

Actually, you have to buy the SAGE code now! It sells for $1200

Can you tell us briefly how NASA uses the SAGE program?

Well, to compute flow field variables (for example temperature around a
space vehicle to see if it will burn up) a grid is created. This grid is
only an approximation of a best guess where the grid points should be to
get the most accurate solution. SAGE moves the grid points to the most
accurate locations. The results are therefore more accurate if you use
SAGE.

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Could you and would you like to work for a private software developing
company instead of NASA?

 I definitely prefer working at NASA. It is very exciting.  I guess I mean
with you kind of experience, what other types of software developing jobs
could you get or vice versa - would NASA hire a software developer from a
private company?

I'm sure I could get a software development job. Living here in Silicon
Valley, there are tons of opportunities. Systems administration is a hot
job too.

What is the difference in a systems administration job and software
developer?

A systems adminstrator needs to know a lot more about how computers and
their networks work. A software developer needs to know more about the
'outside world' problem they are trying to solve. If my computer doesn't
work (I can't print or something) then I call the sys ad to help me. To do
my job, I have to write codes that solve equations, therefore I have to
know math.

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Do you think the same thing about the restaurant that happened to you in
1968 could happen now.Where was this anyway?

 I certainly hope it wouldn't happen now! Though there are still some golf
clubs that
have times that only men can play! This restaurant was in Palo Alto. I'm
happy to say it has finally closed down and I no longer have to turn my
nose up every time I drive by!

How did you feel when you were not allowed to eat in the dining room in
1968?

At first I didn't believe it! Then I got mad. But, I behaved myself
because my nice colleagues were taking me out to lunch and I didn't want
them to feel too bad.

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What is your daughter studying? What types of things did you do when you
were raising her to focus her on a career?

My daughter has just completed her MBA. She plans to go to Law School
(Santa Clara) in August. Now, she's working for 6 months in London.

Did you encourage your daughter to study oversees?

Yes: I did encourage my daughter to work overseas. I hope my son does too.
The experience is invaluable in understanding the world and all the
different people in it. I think that some Americans are insular and don't
appreciate the wonderful diversity that exists. Of course, it also gives
me an excuse to go visit them!

Did you take time off to raise your children or were you working?

As far as bringing up my daughter. She just knew that the 'sky's the
limit' and that we would support her. Neither of my kids are interested in
Math and they used to be quite upset that they weren't able to do Math
that easily.

I think they thought that with two 'science' parents, it would just come
naturally. Nope!

So in the case of your children you do not think the scientific or
mathematic mind is genetic?

If math is genetic, our kids didn't get the genes! Neither one!

I worked part time while my children were growing. Half time while they
were young, then my hours coincided with their school hours. Both my kids
spent time at my work with me when they were tiny babies.

Has your daughter experienced any difficulties like you did with men not
taking her seriously?

Sabrina: they wouldn't dare! She stands up for herself. More so than I
used to. (I do now). I hope that's from her mom's influence!

When you were a kid were you good at math?

Yes, I was good at math when I was a kid. And I enjoyed it.

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How did you feel when you won the first Ames Technical paper Contest for
women? 

That was really exciting: I got to go on a trip to Orlando to present my
paper, and would
you believe it, I really did go to Disneyland!!

Carol, Have your overseas experiences, which exposed you to different
cultures and possibly different ways of thinking, helped you in any way to
become a more creative problem solver? David Rodriguez South Africa 

David: my experiences overseas were INVALUABLE. I work in a multicultural
field, and really think that I am a good mediator in meetings because of
my experiences. I also gained a lot of confidence having to find my way in
an overseas work environment.

I was in London last week visiting my daughter, and while on the 'tube'
picked up a daily paper. There, staring me, was an article on the X-38. I
was really excited and felt like (but of course I didn't) jumping up and
saying to my fellow travelers that 'I work on this project'!

Do you think that NASA's representation is the same in overseas countries
or was that unusual to hear about it in London?

I think that most nations have heard of NASA. The English are interested
in science and have 'intellectual' newspapers (as well as the tabloids) so
I don't know if NASA is written up in other countries newspapers. I will
have to travel more and find out!

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What is the your favorite sport? 

My favorite sport? Track & Field and figure skating. I also will watch the
NCAA basketball this week, I'm sure.