Whether it was fate or endeavor that brought me to NASA, I wouldn’t know. I’d like to think it was a bit of both. I’m probably among the youngest interns at NASA. I’m 18 years old and I just graduated from Lake Park High School this past May. The very next morning after my graduation ceremony, I was on a road trip from Chicago to Hampton with my parents. I felt like I was dreaming – even now I can still hardly believe I made it to NASA.
As a little baby I would gaze wide eyed at the twinkling stars. Gazing in Hindi means “टुक-टुकी लगा कर देखना” (“Tuk-tuki laga kar dekhna”). As a result I was nicknamed “टुक-टुक” or “Tuk-Tuk.”
My fascination for space science sprouted from childhood and continued to grow throughout elementary and middle school. In the evenings I would tune into PBS to watch NOVA, and documentaries by Steven Hawking and Neil deGrasse Tyson. I can still remember the awe I felt while learning about celestial bodies, the Big Bang, space-time and more.
I love working with my hands: creating, building and tinkering. I am a dreamer and an artist at heart; I use my hands as a vessel for my creativity and self-expression. I love creating wire sculptures, forming vases on a pottery wheel, folding origami, solving Rubik’s cubes and playing musical instruments.
This summer, I was determined to find something meaningful to do that would combine my love for science and my passion for art. It was by accident that I stumbled upon the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative website. The application deadline happened to be the next evening; the clock was ticking fast as I was scrambling to submit to the maximum number of openings before midnight.
Among the 15 I submitted, one was titled “Folding and packaging solar sails.” In the description, there was a link to HELIOS heliogyro solar sail (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F97NdwvmUM), which is a fan-shaped satellite with each blade a separate solar sail. When I did more research on solar sails, it was mind blowing to discover that solar sails could harness momentum from light to move. The idea completely encapsulated my imagination and I couldn’t wait to put my hands to work.
Recently, I helped my mentor, Dr. Olive Stohlman, with another intern, Tucker Reese, complete the manufacture of a prototype square sail that was about 18 by 18 feet. The actual square sail will be 10 by 10 meters and will eventually be used with the Lunar Flashlight Cubesat, which will collect data from the dark side of the moon.
Currently, Tucker and I are assembling and testing prototype blades for the heliogyro solar sail. Eventually, once we’ve finished a functional prototype, the blade will be released via high- altitude balloon at the University of Michigan. This is really exciting as I will be attending the University of Michigan in September, and I may get the chance to see our prototype blade get deployed!
I’ve had an incredible time here at NASA Langley. For the first time in my life, I feel like I belong. I have found a place where people can relate to me, and share my nerdiness and passion for science. I am no longer alone when gazing at the stars, or staring in awe at the beautiful flashes of lightning in the middle of the night. Here is the only place we talk about physics and orbital mechanics for fun.
The incredible exposure I have gained at NASA along with hands-on experience on the projects with Dr. Stohlman will be very relevant and meaningful for my aerospace engineering major at UMich. My time at NASA has flown by, but I hope to come back in the future to learn even more and interact with the wonderful people I’ve met here. I will never forget this summer as the learning and friendships will last a lifetime. Thank you, Olive, for giving me this awesome opportunity!