space flight and system engineering. They were about how to integrate
all the different parts of a spacecraft so that it operates correctly.”
The program that Droppers is working on is a tool that will be
used to help future Mars missions determine how big their propulsion
systems need to be in order to launch on a certain date.
“Essentially, you pick a range of dates and it will provide you with
the best date to launch based on a variety of different propulsion
methods,” He said. “There is a lot of different technology people are
trying to use to get to Mars. This tool will help determine what the best
technology is and give performance curves for different takeoff dates.”
The program takes into account travel speeds and the positions
of the planets in its calculations. It’s a tool that will help NASA cut
mission costs while optimizing its carrying capacity.
“It’s a lot of writing code for computer programs and working with
software that does calculations,” Droppers said.
The Langley Research Center where Droppers does his
programming work is actually the location where NASA was
founded, back when it was still the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics (NACA). A few miles down the road is the Gantry, where
impact tests are done for space capsules. It’s where NASA prepared for
the first lunar landing.
“In general, the entire location at Langley Research Center is really
cool and historical,” Droppers said. “I’m also surrounded by a bunch
of really intelligent people. The offices of people who are the experts
in the world on how to land on Mars are in the hallways around
me. It’s just really cool to be in that environment and around all that
knowledge and experience in the industry.”
According to Droppers, it’s hard for him to pick a favorite part
about his internship experience, but overall, the environment stands
out as one of its best qualities.
“The environment is phenomenal and I haven’t experienced
anything like it anywhere else I have been,” Droppers said. “Everyone
is incredibly smart and good at their jobs, and the atmosphere is pretty
relaxed.”
Throughout his internship, Droppers’ biggest source of stress has
been his desire to do well enough to earn a job offer to come back at
the end of it all.
“It’s given me a taste of what it’s like,” he said. “That has been
enough for me to know that this is what I want to do going forward.”
With another summer between him and graduation, Droppers says
that he’s still pretty open to the future. However, he does see himself
working in the field of deep space exploration.
“I could also check out commercial space companies like Space X or
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics,” Droppers said.
No matter where he finds himself, Droppers has his eyes set on the
stars. His experience at NASA has only served to solidify that desire
and fuel his passion for pursuing it.
“I’m very fortunate and very happy to have this opportunity,” he
said. “It’s a new experience and challenge every day, but I really enjoy
coming to work here and that is something I think is really important
in life.”
vBy Dillon Dwyer
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