NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Sam Ortega. (NASA)
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Marshall engineer Sam Ortega, right, puts the finishing touches on a dance costume for his daughter, Sierra. (NASA)

For More Information
› Profile: Sam Ortega
› Feature: From Ballistics to Ballet
› Feature: Next-Gen Propulsion Testing
› Feature: Adventures in Engineering
› Feature: Calculating the Cotton Row
› Overview: STS-107 Mission Several Marshall employees were interviewed as part of Marshall's 50th Anniversary activities.

In the video clip below, Sam Ortega tells the story of how he came to work as an engineer at Marshall and how sewing a Nutcracker costume for his ballerina daughter has helped his career. He also shares his experience about the days following the Columbia accident, searching the Texas countryside for remnants along the orbiter's flight path.


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