NASA STEM Stars: Thermal Coatings Engineer

TL;DR

Nathan Abraham, a coatings engineer at NASA, discusses her background, career experiences, and the development of thermal coatings for space technologies.

Transcript

stem fans are you ready let's hear it for the world-class nasa stem stars team from nasa centers across the country we present nathan abraham [Applause] hello my name is david alexander connecting to you from the armstrong flight research center and welcome to nasa stem stars where students connect first-hand with nasa scientists engineers and inno... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Nathan Abraham is a coatings engineer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, specializing in thermal coatings for space technologies.
• 🥰 Her journey to NASA began with her interest in art and her academic strengths in math and chemistry, which led to pursuing chemical engineering in college.
• 💦 Nathan's work involves providing technical expertise on thermal control coatings, developing new coatings and materials, and working on various NASA missions.
• 💦 Collaboration and teamwork are essential in Nathan's work, as she collaborates with scientists, engineers, and technicians from different disciplines.
• 🛄 Nathan is involved in technology transfer partnerships, aiming to apply NASA technologies on Earth, such as museum conservation efforts using coatings developed at NASA.
• ❓ She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, internships, and networking in pursuing a career in STEM, providing valuable experience and guidance.
• 👾 Nathan's work includes developing molecular absorber coatings to protect against molecular contamination in space and ensuring the functionality of sensitive surfaces.

Questions & Answers

Q: What subjects do high school students interested in engineering need to focus on?

High school students interested in engineering should take courses in math, including calculus, as well as chemistry and physics.

Q: How does Nathan's artistic interests influence her work as a coatings engineer?

Nathan's artistic interests transfer over to her work, helping her with creativity in presentations, report writing, and graphic design.

Q: What role does teamwork play in Nathan's work at NASA?

Teamwork is crucial at NASA, as collaboration with scientists, engineers, and technicians is necessary to meet the end goals of missions.

Q: How do thermal coatings regulate temperatures in space technologies?

Thermal coatings either radiate heat away from spacecraft or regulate heat to ensure operational conditions and prevent damage to sensitive surfaces.

Q: What are the main challenges in developing coatings that can survive the harsh conditions of space?

Developing coatings that can withstand vacuum, radiation, extreme temperatures, and acoustic vibrations during launch pose significant challenges.

Q: How does Nathan contribute to the empowerment of women in STEM?

Nathan is a member of a women engineers group at NASA Goddard, addressing issues and topics related to women engineers and advocating for their representation and success.

Q: How does Nathan's background in chemical engineering contribute to her work as a coatings engineer?

Nathan's background in chemical engineering allows her to provide technical expertise on coatings and materials and participate in the development of new coatings for space technologies.

Q: Can you explain the concept of technology transfer and its importance?

Technology transfer involves applying NASA technologies developed for space to practical applications on Earth. It allows NASA to share advancements with industries, resulting in innovative spin-off technologies.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nathan Abraham is a coatings engineer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, specializing in thermal coatings for space technologies.

• She shares her educational background, including degrees in chemical engineering, and her interests in cooking, board games, and art.

• Nathan discusses her journey to NASA, from immigrating to the US as a child to discovering her passion for engineering in high school and finding opportunities at a career fair.

• As a coatings engineer, Nathan provides technical expertise on space flight coatings, including developing molecular absorber coatings to protect against contaminants.

• She emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration at NASA and discusses the potential applications of NASA technologies on Earth through technology transfer partnerships.

• Nathan also highlights her work on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which aims to study dark matter and dark energy.