Space Science

NEWS -- May 2009 --- SPOTLIGHT on HUBBLE:

Hubble is a NASA-designed telescope that has been in space since 1990. Since then, it’s been taking pictures and videos and beaming them back to earth. Some of its most significant discoveries have been related to the life cycle of stars (did you know that stars are born and can die?), black holes, and the evolution of our galaxy.

Since it’s been in space, Hubble has been repaired four times. The first time (Servicing Mission 1, or SM1 for short), a space crew fixed a broken mirror that made it difficult to take clear pictures of faint images. Repairs after that (SM2, SM3A and SM3B) have included improving Hubble’s performance and productivity, fixing broken and worn-out parts, including gyroscopes (the things that tell the telescope where to point ), and adding new technology to expand what it can do.

In 2009, Servicing Mission 4 a team of astronauts went back into space to conduct more repairs, replace batteries, and add new technology that will allow the telescope to capture a greater variety of images with higher quality than before.

You can read a detailed list of all the updates.

But before the mission launched,there was a lot of work to do here on Earth.

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Learn about Jackie T. (an engineer)
and Ken S. (an astronomer) and the work
they do that will help keep Hubble working!

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THIS INDUSTRY IN MARYLAND      WHAT YOU'LL NEED      WHO YOU CAN BE     
SHORTAGE / NEED AREAS      TOP REASONS PEOPLE CHOOSE THIS INDUSTRY     
LINKS / RESOURCES      INCENTIVES / SCHOLARSHIPS

People working in space science ask the big questions and seek the answers using math and science and technology.  Astronomers and many other professionals work in a variety of jobs in space science; in fact Maryland is home to hundreds of these jobs.  

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore employs over 400 astronomers, engineers, and technicians to conduct research and day-to-day operations of the Hubble Space Telescope.  

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt is the “largest organization of combined scientists and engineers dedicated to learning and sharing their knowledge of the Earth, solar system, and Universe.”  

Other possible employers in space science include universities such as Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, aerospace corporations such as Orbital Sciences Corporation, Computer Sciences Corporation , and the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and science museums and planetariums like the Maryland Science Center.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

The problems these workers take on are large and exciting.  To solve them, the space science industry hires people with math, science, and technology skills. Most jobs require employees who have good communication skills and can work well in teams.  

Skills and school subjects you’ll use:

• Computer skills
  
• Communication skills
  
• Problem-solving skills
  
• Algebra, Geometry, Calculus
  
• Chemistry, Biology, Physics

SHORTAGE / NEED AREAS

A degree (Bachelor’s is great but a Master’s is even better) in physics is a good place to start if you want to work in the space science field.  However, an increasing number of computer software engineers, programmers and systems analysts will also be needed.

WHO YOU CAN BE

• Animator (see Greg B.)
  
• Astronomer (see Rupali C.) (see Frank S.)
• Educator (see Carol C.) (see Max M.) (see Frank S.)
  
• Database developer
  
• Graphic Designer (see Krista W.) (see Lisa F.)
  
• Photographer
  
• Physicist
  
• Programmer
  
• Scientist (see Carol C.) (see Max M.) (see Ken S.)
  
• Science Writer (see Donna W.)
  
• Software engineer
  
• Technician
• Web manager (see Jon E.)

TOP REASONS PEOPLE CHOOSE THIS INDUSTRY

"Astronomy makes my daily problems seem completely insignificant."

"I love the challenge of putting together bits and pieces of information and seeing how much we can learn from them." -- Rupali C.

"I like the challenge of combining deep content and artistic presentation."

"I like working with computers." -- Frank S.

"I love to write and I love to do research and interview scientists for stories."

"I like the challenge of trying to make astronomy understandable and entertaining." -- Donna W.

LINKS / RESOURCES

• Space Telescope Science Institute: http://www.stsci.edu/institute
  
• Amazing Space: http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/
  
• The Star Witness News: http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/news/
  
• GAME: Mission MasterMind: http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/mastermind/
  
• Videos (Comet Crash, Looking Deep, Life of a Star): http://informal-sci.stsci.edu/exhibits/videos/kiosk/
  
• Hubble Gallery: http://hubblesite.org/gallery/
  
• Hubble Pictures, behind the pictures: http://hubblesite.org/sci.d.tech/behind_the_pictures/
  
• Hubble Fun and Games: http://hubblesite.org/fun_.and._games/
  
• Hubble Talks are free: http://hubblesite.org/about_us/public-talks.shtml

   

INCENTIVES / SCHOLARSHIPS

Maryland Space Grant Consortium - scholarship for MD students planning on majoring in space-science related fields such as physics, astronomy, engineering, etc...
USRA Scholarship Program - for undergraduates studying physical scieces or engineering
MD Science Center Scholarship - Check back later for details on applying

Also check out the Aerospace Industry section to learn more about education and career opportunities in outer space!



Find MUCH MORE AT NASA GODDARD

You can learn about the rest of the team (divers, scientists, technicians, educators, and more! here: Hubble Careers and here Hubble Stars.