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Space Explorers in Scotland 07
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Christy Hansen

Summary of qualifications

Highly motivated engineer in multiple phases of project development and operation with NASA's Human Spaceflight Program. Excellent technical, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills demonstrated as Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Task lead mission designer and astronaut crew trainer. Proven ability to balance technical and practical issues without sacrificing safety and quality. Demonstrated ability to calmly function under high pressure, prioritize, and multitask as a certified real-time flight controller in the Mission Control Center for the Space Shuttle and International Space Station Programs. Adept at creating and conducting formal and informal technical presentations, including PR press conferences. Significant direct interaction with payload customers including international partners in Russia, Canada, and Sweden.

WORK experience

UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE , June 1999 - present

Engineering Staff IV

Certified mission flight controller and astronaut crew trainer in the Mission Operations Directorate Extravehicular Activities (EVA) group.

Lead EVA Task officer for recent STS-116/12A.1 Space Shuttle/International Space Station (ISS) mission, responsible for development, procedure writing, and spacewalk training for astronauts. Performed three complex spacewalks and one unscheduled fourth spacewalk to repair a damaged power generating Solar Array.

Lead responsibilities include all aspects of Shuttle and Station EVA training, integration, and flight control:

  • Managing a team of EVA specialists and instructors
  • Developing and testing new EVA operations and capabilities
  • Designing, developing, and conducting EVA crew training sessions
  • Developing flight procedures, timelines, and assisting with flight rules
  • Technical interchange with international partner counterparts
  • Integration with vehicle systems (electrical, thermal, mechanical systems)
  • Lesson plan and course material development
  • Leading real time EVA task-related operations in the Mission Control Center
  • Defining operational hardware requirements and evaluating hardware designs
  • Developing mockup requirements
  • Coordinating flight hardware and tool interface fit checks and sharp edge inspections
  • Integrating facility requirements for testing and training, participated in: Neutral Buoyancy Lab, Precision Air Bearing Floor, Virtual Reality Lab, and KC-135 zero gravity aircraft training
  • Evaluating new EVA instructors and flight controllers
  • Real-time problem solving in high pressure time critical environment
  • Coordination of critical timelined activity among diverse integrated teams

Education

  • 1997-1999, MS Space Studies, University of North Dakota
  • 1993-1997, BS Comprehensive Science, Villanova University ( Minor in Physics, Minor in Women's Studies)

Honors/Awards received

NASA Superior Achievement Award, January 2007.

  • For outstanding planning, procedure development, astronaut training, and real-time execution of 3 scheduled and 1 unscheduled EVA during the STS-116/12A.1 Space Shuttle/International SpaceStation Mission

ISS Flight Control Plaque Hanging, January 2007.

  • Honor awarded by the Mission Control Lead Flight Director for the most outstanding real-time support and troubleshooting during STS-116/12A.1 mission

STS-116/12A.1 EVA/Robotics Team Award, January 2007.

  • For excellent pre-flight and real-time support planning, training, validating, and executing the first-ever installation of an ISS element outboard of the ISS Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) as well as multiple Shuttle Remote Manipulator System/Mobile Baseline System and EVA requirements in support of P5 Install, Shuttle Tile/Reinforced Carbon-Carbon Inspections, Power/Thermal Reconfigurations, and P6 4B Solar Array Wing Retract

STS-115/12A EVA Team Group Achievement Award, Fall 2006.

Penncrest High School Distinguished Alumni Award (Rose Tree Media Hall of Fame Award), May 2006.

  • Youngest alumni to receive this award

EVA Group Achievement Award, July 2005.

  • For support of the Return to Flight STS-114 spaceflight mission

Villanova University Young Alumni of the Year Award, June 2005.

  • The Villanova Young Alumni Medal is given to an alumnus who has reached a significant level of achievement in his/her profession and who is a model of the quality and caliber of today's Villanova student
  • One Young Alumni Medal is given annually

Spaceflight Awareness Team Award, June 2005.

  • In recognition for resolving an arising dangerous situation of contact with the Sequential Shunt Unit (electrical box) that ensured the safety of the crew (astronauts) and vehicle (space station)

Inaugural Women's Studies Lecture Series Speaker for Villanova University, Winter 2004.

  • Asked to speak on behalf of Villanova University Women's Studies Department for very first Women's Studies lecture series

QUEST for Excellence Performance Award, June 2003.

  • This award is given in recognition of one's superior performance and outstanding contributions toward the vision, mission, and goals of United Space Alliance

Hobbies/interests

  • Mountaineering
    • American Alpine Institute (AAI) Denali Mountaineering Prep Course: Spent 1 week on Ruth Glacier in Denali National Park. Learned to set up expedition-style camps, the basics of crevasse travel and crevasse rescue, ice wall climbing, roped team travel on skis and crampons, ice axe and self-arrest techniques, sled travel, deep snow and steep mountain climbing techniques, glaciology basics, teamwork and leadership skills, May 2006
    • Rainier Mountaineering Incorporated (RMI) Mt Rainier 3-day Summit Climb: First day was an in-depth field class that taught ice axe safety and self arrest techniques, glacier/roped travel and crampon travel, avalanche safety, pressure breathing for efficient high altitude climbing. Second and third days included climb to high camp and summit push. Involved roped-travel around extensive crevasse fields and along steep drops
    • El Pico de Orizaba, Mexico Summit Climb: Spent 4 days on Mexico's tallest volcano with small team of friends and co-workers. Self-guided climb, carried all gear and set up high camp. Learned to travel on steep scree and roped-up glacier travel. Gained experience working at 'high' altitude and establishing good interpersonal communication skills with small team in strenuous conditions
  • Volleyball
  • Played Division I Volleyball for Villanova University (4 years).
  • Basketball
  • Earth Science/Geology/Space Science/Mountaineering reading
  • National Space Society member
  • Highly interested in exploration and living/working in extreme environments
  • Working out
  • SCUBA certified
  • Spending time with family and friends

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH/PUBLIC RELATIONS

  • Scottish Space School Educational Outreach (Future, June 2007)
    • Invited to participate in promoting Math and Science to students at various education levels in Glasgow, Scotland. Partnered with an astronaut, will provide details outlining our jobs with the overall purpose of capturing student's interests in space and science
  • Villanova University Key Note Speaker; Senior Athletic Award's Banquet, May 2007
  • STS-116 Post Spaceflight Public Relation?s Tour in Scandinavia, April 2007
    • Invited by first Swedish astronaut to participate in STS-116 Public Relation's tour to provide spacewalk training perspective to both Academic and Government audiences. Countries included Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, and The Netherlands

Please also see the details of our other Space Explorers visiting Scotland during 2007.

Christy Hansen