The dream of knowing what it feels like to be in outer space is often one that goes unachieved, but not so for Purdue University student Christine Poulin.
Poulin, who grew up in Lake Orion, graduated from Notre Dame Prep in 2001.
‘Purdue is really involved with the NASA program,? she explained, noting that the affiliation dates back to 1996. ‘They send five or six teams down there each year.?
This year Poulin’s team, ‘The Weightless Boilers,? was one of the lucky ones. Along with four other Purdue students, Poulin recently performed an experiment for NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Their experiment was to test wicking properties in satellite fuel tanks, and was carried out on NASA’s ‘Weightless Wonder,? which simulates a zero gravity environment.
After sitting through a number of lectures on the effects space has on a person, Poulin’s team got to experience the environment for themselves.
‘It was interesting to get used to,? Poulin said of the weightless environment. ‘You just kind of go wherever.
‘Your first instinct is to flail around like you’re in water,? she added, but noted that this often left her upside-down.
Poulin said the ‘Weightless Wonder? is also known as the ‘Vomit Comet,? though no word was given if the ‘Comet? lived up to it’s nickname.
The team also went into an oxygen chamber that took them some 25,000 feet high.
While in Houston, the team got to see many things first-hand, with the help of astronaut David Wolf.
Wolf, a Purdue graduate who knew one of the team members prior to their arrival at NASA, is the Chief of the Astronaut Office Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Branch.
He has also spent over 150 days in space, including a long stay on the Russian MIR space station.
‘Dave took the team under his wing during our stay in Houston,? Poulin said, noting Wolf took the team on tours, and even invited them to his house.
Making that valuable connection certainly added to the experience for Poulin, who said she’d like to go back to Houston in the future.
‘I’d like to eventually work for NASA,? she said.
In the meantime, Poulin graduated in May, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering.
‘I co-oped in Indianapolis at Rolls-Royce from 2002 until 2005,? she said, noting that she did something different in all five of her semester-long sessions with the company.
‘I will be working on a design for transmission and structures for aircraft engines at Rolls-Royce,? she added.
Poulin got that position last Sept., making her senior year a little less stressful. She hopes to someday move into mission control for the company.