[ Tish/NASAChatHost - 1 - 13:12:06 ]
If you have not read Estella's profile, please do so prior to joining the chat. This can be found at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women/bios/ehg.html. After the chat, please take a moment to fill out our brief survey at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/qchat-surveys so we can make our chats a better experience for you.

[ MikeMrMike - 7 - 12:40:24 ]
RE: [Mike-Mr.Mike] Hola Estella esperamos hayas recibido nuetro mensaje del dia de ayer y en esta oportunidad nos des tu opinion del proyecto " Cuestion de Espacio "..
Si recibi su mensaje...

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 12 - 12:45:59 ]
RE: [Sabrina-SabrinaSingh/GeorgiaTech] Hi Estella! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I am a freshman at Georgia Tech and want to become an astroanut. I am interested in biomedical engineering and was wondering what kind of demand NASA will have for this field. Also, I do wear contacts and how does ethis affect my chances of becoming an astronaut?
Sabrina--hi! Specific standards for distance visual acuity: 20/200 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, each eye... As long as you meet those requirements, vision is not a problem.

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 13 - 12:46:57 ]
RE: [Hector-Hector/SanAntonioTexas] Hola Estella muchas gracias por permitirme hablar contigo, primeramente felicitarte por todo lo que has luchado por llegar hasta donde te encuentras y sobretodo por ser hispana. Quisiera que me consideraras coomo tu amigo y que el dia que te sintieras tristes te puedas comunicar conmigo para poder platicar y asi que pudieras olvidar por un rato tus problemas, ademas me encantaria platicar contigo por una parte por ser una persona inteligente me encantaria explorar tu mundo que pienso ha de ser bastante interesante. Por favor contactame tan pronto como tu puedas y tu tiempo te lo permita este es mi e-mail: TOY10@webtv.net. Por favor escribeme Tu amigo ""Hector"".
Hector-- Gracias por amable nota. Me da gusta que nuestros jovenes se interesen en nuestro programa espacial. Este programa es para todos!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 14 - 12:48:44 ]
RE: [Paty] Hola Estella, espero nos puedas responder al mensaje enviado sobre cuestion de espacio, para nosotros es muy importante entrar en contacto contigo para tomar una decision sobre nuestro viaje a la NASA. Ojala nos envies tu e-mail para enviarte mensajes mas directamente.Gracias y Saludos Nuevamente. Paty y Miguel (Mr. Mike).
Paty-- He leido tu nota. Ojala me encuentres en el e-mail--nuevamente, mi direccion es estella.h.gillette1@jsc.nasa.gov

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 15 - 13:02:30 ]
RE: [MissPatyGonzalez/TVProducer] Hola Estella: Esperamos que hayas recibido nuestro mensaje del Proyecto Cuestión de Espacio que conducirá el Dr. Neri. Es muy importante para nosotros entrar en contacto contigo para tomar una decision sobre nuestro próximo viaje a la NASA. Nos gustaria saber cual es tu e-mail para enviarte mensajes mas directamente. Te agradeceriamos contestarnos al e-mail: maavila@df1.telemx.net.mx Gracias y saludos Miguel Angel Acevedo (Mr. Mike en el chat) Paty Gonzalez
Paty-- He leido tu nota y la de Mike. Por lo pronto ya hice una lista de hispanos que son parte de la familia de NASA aqui en Houston y creo que podremos ayudarles con su proyecto. Voy a hacer mas preguntas de la oficina de relaciones publicas para poder decirles a ustedes que mas tienen que hacer para poder hacer su visita de orientacion.

[ Tish/NASAChatHost - 16 - 13:05:36 ]
Good Afternoon - We will be starting our chat with Estella Gillette now. Estella is on-line and ready. As you might know we open our chat room 2 days before the chat for those of you who cannot attend live. The q & a you see above are the results of questions submitted earlier. We welcome you to begin submitting questions now. If you haven't read Estella's profile, please do so at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women/bios/ehg.html

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 20 - 13:21:02 ]
RE: [Arlene] Hola Estela, nosotros queremos saber si usted se puede comunicar con los astronautas cuando estan en el espacio o como obtienen la informacion acerca de su trabajo en el espacio en ese momento. Tambien queremos saber cuales son los requisitos para poder trabajar en la NASA como astronauta. Nos gustaria saber si alguna vez algun astronauta ha muerto durante el viaje espacial. Yo quiero ser un abogado, podria trabajar en la NASA. Esta preguntas son de un grupo de estudiantes del 4 grado de la escuela elemental Garfield en Elgin Illinois Distrito 46. Nos sentimos muy contentos por la oportunidad de conocerte y poder hacerte algunas preguntas, te deseamos muchos exitos y que puedas continuar ayudando a muchas personas con tu trabajo.
Arlene-- Cuando los astronautas estan en el espacio, se pueden comunicar con en centro de control constantemente. Pero tambien se pueden comunicar con sus familias y sus companeros y amigos por e-mail, una cosa que los hace muy contentos. Para ser astronauta, es necesario tener la educacion de un ingeniero, cientifico, o alguna otra carrera tecnica, pero advanzada; tener por lo menos 3 anos de trabajo en esa carrera; y estar en excelente condicion fisica. Aparte, hay otros requisitos, pero estos son los basicos. 10 astronautas han muerto durante la mision espacial--3 durante una prueba del cohete en el Cape Kennedy, y 7 durante el lanzamiento, tambien en Kennedy. Gracias por comunicarse conmigo--les deseo muy buenas costumbres de estudio!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 21 - 13:22:26 ]
RE: [Sabrina] My vision is corrected to 20/20 becasue I wear contacts, does that count? ALso, what about biomedical engineering as a future for NASA astronuts?
Sabrina--Yes, your correctable vision with contacts would count. And biomedical engineering definitely counts!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 25 - 13:24:27 ]
RE: [Thai] Hi Estella! I am very willing to become a part of nasa, but math is my number 1 weackeness. what should I do?
Thai-- Math used to be my No. 1 weakness too! Until I discovered as an adult that it really wasn't all that bad. I actually made A's in algebra once I got into college, when I had made C's in high school. I think if you understand that there are definite steps to take when dealing with math solutions, you will see that it really isn't that difficult. I would advise you to get a tutor, take your time, and try to understand the process that math is. It's more a question of being patient than lack of intelligence, I believe. So, don't underestimate yourself--don't let math scare you!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 26 - 13:28:04 ]
RE: [Yaitza] Hi Estella! I wanted to know if I could be an astronaut or even a payload specialist. I'm asking you because I'm hispanic, female and have a mild case of cerebral palsy. and because I'm doing a research paper on a controversial topic!
Yaitza-- As long as you are a citizen of the U.S., can pass the academic and physical requirements of the astronaut program, you can be an astronaut. But, it is still a highly competitve program! Women and minorities have been selected as astronauts since 1978. We have several minority and female astronauts at this time. If you would like more information about the program qualifications, or a brochure about the requirements, send a note to Duane Ross, NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Road 1, Mail Code AHX, Houston, TX 77058. Good luck!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 29 - 13:31:20 ]
RE: [Melissa16] Did John Glenn's second flight to space anger you becuase he had already gone, and some women have never been up?
Melissa-- On the contrary, seeing Astronaut Senator John Glenn return to flight was really exciting. There are lots of women--and men--who haven't gone up, so it's not a matter of who hasn't gone up, but rather a matter of flying people who can bring value to the Space Program, including the right kind of attention from the public. Remember, Senator John Glenn was a test pilot for years as well as an engineer. And, now that he's been a Senator, it's good for him to understand why it's good for America to support the U. S. space program!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 30 - 13:34:24 ]
RE: [Sabrina] Also, i want to co-op at Johnson Space Center? What is your advice for me as I start to interview? Also, are their any summer interships at JSC?
If you want to be a co-op at JSC, contact Bob Musgrove at 281-483-5266. He is the co-op coordinator at JSC. You need to be enrolled in a school that has a "partnership" agreement with us, you need at least 30-45 hours of academic study, a GPA (varies for technical versus administrative professional). As far as an internship is concerned, Bob is also the person who can address that. We normally don't hire a lot of interns during the summer (budget cuts, you know), but there are a few.

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 34 - 13:37:20 ]
RE: [Vanessa] Hi Stella! I am a freshman taking computer science and My number one ambition is to become an astronaut someday or just to become a part of nasa! why should i do?!
If you want to work at NASA, there are a couple of ways. You need a 4-year degree if you want one of our "professional" jobs (about 70 percent of our jobs require a degree). We hire engineers, scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, accounting majors, business administration. You can apply once you graduate by submitting your resume to us. Or, better yet, you can apply to become a co-op before you graduate, maybe around your sophomore year (but the school has to be in partnership with us). Your best best is to contact Bob Musgrove, co-op coordinator at JSC, 281-483-5266, and ask him to send you the brochure (or look on our JSC web page)...

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 35 - 13:39:43 ]
RE: [Melissa16] Does John Glenn's space flight anger anyone that you know at NASA? How does his flight make you feel?
I'm not sure anyone got upset about John Glenn's flying again. I suppose if I were waiting in line to be assigned for a mission, then got "bumped" because he was assigned, that might upset me. But, our astronauts are very professional and very flexible. Remember, many of them are military and know that things change constantly. And, it's important for us to make the public aware of our programs, and look at how much attention this mission got us!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 36 - 13:41:36 ]
RE: [Yaitza] Thanks! I called KSC and they referred me to the 'astronaut office' at JSC but no one answered the phone!
Call 281-483-5907 and ask for Teresa Gomez. She is the assistant manager in the Astronuat Selections Office and she can talk to you or mail you the information. If she's not there, just ask for the information to be sent to you. Good luck! If you don't get a response, send me an e-mail to estella.h.gillette1@jsc.nasa.gov and I'll forward your note to them.

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 39 - 13:42:52 ]
RE: [bruce] puetho acer astronata Jose y Yancy
Bruce-- I think you're asking me if you can be an astronaut? It depends--if you have a technical degree (engineering, math, biological science, physics, for example), are in good physical condition, and are a U. S. citizen--yes.

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 40 - 13:44:19 ]
RE: [Tina16] John Glenn is 77 years old and you are a lot younger, does the age make a difference in choosing who goes up?
Age is not a factor in the determination of who can fly in space or can be an astronaut. It's physical and mental shape that counts. Remember, some of us may be young at heart and spirit, even if we're 86 (like my mom), yet others of us can be 35 and act 86!!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 41 - 13:44:52 ]
RE: [Jennifer] What about if I want to volunteer as part of nasa?
It depends on what you want to volunteer for...

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 42 - 13:45:27 ]
RE: [Vanesa] Since I'm still a freshman, do you have any training or what if I want to volunteer?
What type of training are you thinking about? And what type of volunteering?

[ Susie - 45 - 13:58:45 ]
How have proceedures changed since the originla Mercury 13 were not selected based on being female and now having a female commander scheduled for STS-93?

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 48 - 14:03:05 ]
RE: [Jennifer] Estella, can you give me an example?!
Well, it depends on what it is you want to do as a career. Actually, though, we don't have a lot of volunteers, except for special events, but those are mostly Public Relations type of activities. But, tell what you think you might want to do as an adult and maybe I can think of something. Right now, I'm stuck!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 49 - 14:04:39 ]
RE: [James] Hi Estella - Do you know anything about the original Mercury 13? Were these only women? Where can we find out more about them?
I have mostly found information about the Mercury 13 on the internet, then some articles in the newspaper. Where I read most about them is in Dr. Joseph Atkinson's book "The Real Stuff" which is all about the astronaut program...

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 52 - 14:13:34 ]
RE: [Susie] How have proceedures changed since the originla Mercury 13 were not selected based on being female and now having a female commander scheduled for STS-93?
At the beginning, the criteria to be selected to be an astronaut was to be a test pilot and to have an engineering degree. Those were the primary qualifications. At that time, women (even those that had served in the military during World War II) were not recognized as military persons. So, much less could they be allowed to be test pilots. The Mercury 13 were pilots, but not test pilots, nor had (to my knowledge) they flown 1500 hours of high-performance jet aircraft time, which was the stipulated requirement for the astronaut program at that time. Therefore, since that was the criteria they were not selected because they did not meet those qualifications. Remember, we were anxious to get into space because the Russians had flown Sputniks 1 and 2 and we were in the middle of the cold war. That's from history--and that's the way it was at that time. Now, as to Eileen Collins, Eileen was one of the women who benefited from the struggles of past women who persisted in demanding they be acknowledged as full military persons, including allowance into the test pilot programs. Eileen was fortunate to have been born at a later time and surely she proven that women can be test pilots, Shuttle pilots, and Shuttle commanders. To be a Shuttle commander, you must be a Pilot Astronaut (you can either be a pilot or mission specialist astronaut). You must have flown at least 1000 hours of high-performance jet aircraft, that's 3000 pound thrust per engine. Young women today have now idea what older women have had to go through to get to where YOU can go today! It's wonderful that you have so many choices--hopefully, you will make use of those choices!

[ EstellaHernandezGillette - 53 - 14:14:04 ]
RE: [Yaitza] She wasn't there, but I was told when I could call again. I'll try again thursday because my research paper requires an interview as well as information. Thanks!
Great! Hope you succeed!

[ Tish/NASAChatHost - 55 - 14:17:33 ]
Estella will need to log out now. Thank you for joining us and thank you to Estella for your insight into your work and the Astronaut Selection Committee. Estella will be escorting Pedro Duque and his family at the Houston parade tomorrow honoring STS-95! Remember this chat will be archived and linked from Estella's profile later today.

[ Tish/NASAChatHost - 56 - 14:20:07 ]
RE: [EstellaHernandezGillette] That's a question for Tish Krieg! Tish?
Women of NASA is planning a series of events in honor of STS-93 the mission in which Eileen Collins will be the first female space shuttle commander. This will include a number of on-line interactive events around the theme"women's firsts" and coinciding with Women's history month in March. More detailed information will be available in the WON home page next week.

[ Tish/NASAChatHost - 57 - 14:23:19 ]
Please take a moment to fill our out short survey to give us feedback on improving the quality of our chats. Go to: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/qchat-surveys