NSWC Crane intern becomes youngest person to complete program at Analog Astronaut Training Center

NSWC Crane intern becomes youngest person to complete program at Analog Astronaut Training Center

By Emily Gray (ctr), NSWC Crane Corporate Communications

CRANE, Ind. -

A Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) intern is the youngest person to complete the Analog Astronaut Training Center (AATC) in Krakow, Poland.

Adrianna Waterford accepted her internship with NSWC Crane in December of 2023. After accepting her internship, Waterford realized that she would have two weeks in between completing her first year at Purdue University and her start date as an intern. She says she did not want to waste those two weeks, so she began researching opportunities that would cater to her future career goals.

"I did a lot of personal research on various programs similar to AATC in the United States," said Waterford. "When Crane set my onboarding date to May 21st, I had two weeks from when my finals finished at Purdue and my first day at Crane. I wanted to make the most of the time I had off and use that time to do something unique for my career, so back in December, I applied to astronaut training and ended up getting accepted into the program in Poland."

According to their website, AATC is a "private company that accelerates scientific studies related to human spaceflight." The center offers various programs including analog simulations and various other camps. Analog simulations run between a rocket landing at its intended site and right before it launches back to Earth. Throughout the simulation, the crew is subjected to an extraterrestrial environment with a full Mission Control Center support.

For her analog simulation, Waterford completed a six-day Analog International Space Station (ISS) mission and was put in various situations mirroring tasks that astronauts go through in space. The first half of her analog simulation provided a baseline for scientists monitoring the mission while the second half of the analog simulation provided real world scenarios for trainees to work through.

Throughout her time in the analog simulation, Waterford conducted her own research experiment. For her experiment, Waterford wanted to see if it was possible to synthesize Boron Nitride to Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs) with limited materials and budget while

still effectively blocking radiation. BNNTs research is also being conducted at NSWC Crane through it's first research Other Transaction Authority (OTA).

Waterford believes her research could have an impact on aerospace and aviation.

"Pilots and astronauts have a higher chance of radiation sickness due to their jobs, which makes my research important because it has the potential for new prevention methods for UV radiation exposure in pilots," said Waterford. "This research could lessen the possibility of pilots and aircrew members getting sick from radiation exposure while flying."

Growing up, Waterford has dreamt of one day becoming an astronaut. She said that by participating in the AATC, she has taken the first "small step."

"What interested me the most about this program was getting my foot in the door in an entirely different aspect of the aerospace industry. I liked the opportunity to learn new skills and fulfill my childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. After the program, I was able to receive a reference letter that will allow me to apply to further astronaut training."

Following her time in Poland, Waterford began her internship with NSWC Crane in support of the Strategic Missions focus area.

"My biggest take away from this program was that it taught me there isn't really any room to be uncomfortable," said Waterford. "It taught me to be more confident, assertive, and pushed me out of comfort zone."

Through her internship, Waterford has been able to make connections that she otherwise might not have been able to make for some time.

"I eventually want to apply to become a test pilot for the Air Force, and through my work with at NSWC Crane, I was able to meet and talk to a test pilot from the Navy test flight school."

Once Waterford has completed her internship, she will be going into her second year at Purdue University and will focus on Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Waterford hopes to continue her research in BNNTs and use her knowledge to become a test pilot before applying to become an astronaut.

About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electromagnetic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.

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