Emmanuel’s Impactful Internship: Enhancing Spacecraft Operations and Training

At Sierra Space, we pride ourselves on providing our interns with a diverse and enriching experience. This summer, we had the pleasure of working with Emmanuel Mendoza, an intern in Flight Operations. Emmanuel's journey is a testament to the opportunities and growth that our internship program offers.

Innovative Contributions

Emmanuel's internship provided a wide array of challenging and rewarding work. "Flight Ops didn't have me working on a single project; instead, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects over the course of my internship," he shared. Here are some of the key projects he contributed to:

• Mission Control Model: One of Emmanuel's first tasks was to create a mission control model that displays the orientation of the spacecraft. "I added color to the vehicle, whereas the first version was only grayscale. I supported this with documentation so someone in the future could update model coloration/orientation as needed," he explained. This project enhanced the visual representation of the spacecraft for Mission Control Center displays which provide situational awareness for flight controllers during mission execution.
• Mockup Room Lighting: Inside the Dream Chaser Mockup, Emmanuel took on the challenge of improving lighting better match the lighting inside the real Dream Chaser and enhance the training environment for the crew. "I designed a setup, received review, then finished up with installing all the content," he said. This project was crucial in providing a more realistic training environment for astronauts, helping them better prepare for future interactions with the Dream Chaser when it's attached to the ISS.
• LeakTool Software: Emmanuel worked on a software tool in MATLAB called LeakTool for the Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) team. "The tool takes real data and partitions it so that the team can compute the information easily and make quicker, educated decisions," he noted. This tool is essential for scenarios such as punctures, vehicle leaks over time, or tank pressure loss, enabling the team to effectively monitor the state of the spacecraft and take action as needed to maintain system integrity.
• Constraint Script: Before wrapping up his internship, Emmanuel worked on a script to automate the investigation of constraint violations, previously a manual task done by the Flight Activities Officer (FAO). "This will save time for the FAO," he added. By automating this process, Emmanuel's work improves efficiency and accuracy in identifying potential constraint violations within the flight plan.

Memorable Experiences

Throughout his internship, Emmanuel had the opportunity to engage in several unique and unforgettable experiences that left a lasting impression on him. These moments not only enriched his professional journey but also provided him with invaluable insights and connections. Here are some of the highlights that stood out to Emmanuel during his time at Sierra Space:

• Crew Training and Meeting Astronauts: "Meeting astronauts like Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir, and seeing the impact of my work on their training in the mockup, was incredibly rewarding," he said. Emmanuel's contributions improved the astronauts' training experience.
• Mission Control Simulations: Emmanuel had the chance to sit in on flight control training simulations. "Watching a malfunction occur and seeing the team work through those failures and problems together was fascinating. I also got to witness the instructors' room side and how they implement those errors and malfunctions," he shared. These simulations provided Emmanuel with a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges of space missions, as well as an appreciation for the effort required to prepare a flight control team to safely and successfully execute spaceflight operations.
• Engaging with Subject Matter Experts: Emmanuel appreciated the opportunities and encouragement to talk to subject matter experts. "I was able to meet with Dr. Tom Marshburn and Dr. Robert Morrow. The intern program also coordinates 'Learn and Launches,' which are talks by people across the company, like executives and technical experts, for the interns to learn and ask questions," he explained. These interactions allowed Emmanuel to gain valuable insights and broaden his knowledge.

Learning and Growth

Flight Operations requires a lot of technical knowledge, and Emmanuel was up for the challenge. "Engineers who designed the systems or worked through learning that system so well are often Flight Controllers or former NASA controllers/engineers. As an intern, I needed to get updated on technical knowledge through trainings and researching. Everyone was always helpful and provided opportunities for me to learn and ask questions," he said.

Emmanuel's dedication to learning and his proactive approach enabled him to quickly adapt and contribute effectively.

Building Connections

One of the highlights for Emmanuel was meeting other interns and hearing about their technical work. "I loved being able to meet other interns and hear about all the different technical work they have accomplished as well! I enjoyed intern activity programming!" he exclaimed. The intern program at Sierra Space not only focuses on professional development but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration among interns.

Looking Ahead

Emmanuel's experience at Sierra Space is a shining example of the opportunities and growth that our internship program offers. His contributions have left a lasting impact on our projects and teams. As he moves forward in his career, we are confident that Emmanuel will continue to achieve great things. We are proud of his accomplishments and look forward to seeing his future achievements.

At Sierra Space, we believe in nurturing talent and providing a platform for young professionals to thrive. Emmanuel's journey is a testament to the power of hands-on experience, mentorship, and a supportive work environment. We are excited to continue offering such transformative experiences to future interns. Visit our Internship page to view 2025 internship opportunities.

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