What is the work of a mechanical engineer in NASA?

Answer 1

Buckle up 'cause the NASA mechanical engineer has his hands full. Both of them! The mechanical engineer might be called an "applied physicist" because he takes the principles of physics and applies them to mechanical systems. Let's check it out. Rockets, space stations, satellites and stuff like that are all mechanical structures. Someone has to figure out what is wanted, what is needed, and what is possible. They'll also need to figure out what will have to be "bridged" and "created" or "invented" using the most current materials, methods and manufacturing processes to make it happen. They reach into the future to adapt innovative and newly appearing materials and ideas as well. These thinkers and problem solvers will be looking at everything from, say, the overall size, shape and mass of a modular Skylab addition to the individual fasteners, welding techniques or machining that will be used to build it and keep it together. Everything in between will also be looked over closely. One NASA engineer will be looking at a module, and another will be looking at how it couples to other modules. Still another will be thinking about what fixtures and machinery will be needed to handle the piece on the ground, and also up in space to throw it out of the ascent vehicle and position it for attachment. Senior engineers who have "been there and done that" will oversee sections of the projects, and those in work groups will report to them. Anyone in space is riding in a mechanically engineered vehicle or on a mechanically engineered platform. He's breathing air from a mechanically engineered air system, and drinking and eating stuff held in mechanically engineered reservoirs or compartments. He cleans himself and gets rid of waste in mechanically engineered facilities. Think about what you do in a day and imagine doing it in a box about the size of a walk-in closet. That closet up there displays the best the mechanical engineers can come up with. NASA engineers use all their education to pull off the things they do. They're all math minors (or physics minors, or both - or even double majors!) 'cause they flew through the Calculus and applied it to stress and strain problems, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and a whole bunch of other stuff Newton could only dream about. There are lots of things "hidden" in mechanical engineering. Robotics. Nanotechnology. Composites (with chemists). Oh, and how do you suppose we figure out about how craft will behave in space? Orbital mechanics is really mechanical engineering. If you're considering mechanical engineering, math and physics pave the way. Know that up front. These are the heart and soul or "backbone" of this branch of engineering. It's a science. And only thinkers need apply. Problem solvers. Outside-the-box operators. But it's something you can do if you want it. Betcha. Start now. Come to think of it, by asking the question, you've already started. Step on up. See it happening. Go for it. Never let up. One class at a time, one semester at a time. The door is open. Step through. Got links if you want 'em. Look below.