Space Travel News  
UF Alumnus Works On New NASA Spacecraft Orion

The Orion vehicle is planned to debut in 2015.
by Claibourne Smith
Miami FL (SPX) Jan 21, 2009
Duane Chin wouldn't be a good candidate for space flight - he gets motion sickness. But it doesn't stop him from working with NASA.

Chin, a University of Florida graduate, works as a biomedical engineer for NASA. His current project concerns NASA's Constellation Program.

The Constellation Program is developing spacecraft and booster vehicles to replace the space shuttle and return astronauts to the moon and beyond.

Chin is helping develop the Orion spacecraft's crew compartment for the program. He works as a crew health integrations specialist, developing ways the crew can stay healthy in space while living in a small area.

"The shuttle's volume of livable space is like a bus," Chin said. "Orion is like a VW Beetle."

Chin is working with engineers and flight surgeons to make sure the crew's medical needs are met in the small space provided.

"We have to get down to the basics," Chin explained. "The crew still needs to exercise every day but there is limited space."

The Orion vehicle is planned to debut in 2015.

University Ties

Chin, who graduated from UF in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering science and mechanics, first heard about the opportunities at NASA for engineers from his professors at UF.

"Going through the UF Biomedical engineering program with professors so close to Kennedy Space Center definitely helped me," Chin said. "UF has a great engineering program and enabled me to be a great engineer."

Chin's work at UF has now paid off. His job with NASA is paramount and unrivaled.

"The opportunity to help in a launch, something that only a few countries in the whole world can do, is exciting," Chin said. "To be a part of (the Constellation Program) is really huge."

Related Links
University of Florida
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


South Africa To Establish Space Agency
Pretoria, South Africa (SPX) Jan 21, 2009
President Kgalema Motlanthe has signed the South African National Space Agency Bill into law, which could see South Africa setting up its own space agency later this year to pull together all space-related activities in the country under one banner.







  • Giant Rockets Could Revolutionize Astronomy
  • Battle Of The Launches All Over Again
  • NASA Tests Engine Technology For Landing Astronauts On The Moon
  • Flometrics Tests BioDiesel As Rocket Fuel

  • Japan Resets H2A Launch To Jan 23
  • Sea Launch Selected To Launch Intelsat 17
  • New Skies NSS-9 Satellite Arrives In Kourou For February 12 Launch
  • First ULA Delta IV Heavy NRO Mission Successfully Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral

  • Discovery Ready To Roll
  • Sharks Fly With Shuttle On Return Trip
  • NASA describes final moments of Columbia tragedy
  • NASA gives crew safety tips after detailing Columbia tragedy

  • Kogod Students Pioneer Branding Potential Of International Space Station
  • Spacehab To Support Pre-Launch Preparations For Russian Module
  • Russia Tests Phone Home To Santa Network
  • ISS Astronauts Successfully Complete Spacewalk

  • Virgin Galactic Offers Accreditation To Nordic Travel Agents
  • NASA Adds Prizes To 2009 Rice Business Plan Competition
  • South Africa To Establish Space Agency
  • UF Alumnus Works On New NASA Spacecraft Orion

  • China plans own satellite navigation system by 2015: state media
  • Fengyun-3A Weather Satellite Begins Weather Monitoring
  • Shenzhou-7 Monitor Satellite Finishes Mission After 100 Days In Space
  • China Launches Third Fengyun-2 Series Weather Satellite

  • Japan researchers unveil robot suit for farmers
  • Will GI Roboman Replace GI Joe
  • Marshall Sponsors Four Student Teams In FIRST Robotics Competitions
  • Jump Like A Grasshopper

  • Mars polar water is pure: study
  • Satellite Antenna Enables Discovery Of Buried Glaciers On Mars
  • ISRO Processes Propellant Booster For Mars Program
  • Dead Or Alive Mars Pumps Methane

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement