Dr. Al Koller, SpaceTEC® Executive Dr. Al Koller, SpaceTEC® Executive DirectorDirectorFrank Margiotta, SpaceTEC® Program Frank Margiotta, SpaceTEC® Program ManagerManager

Preparing Preparing Technicians for Technicians for the Commercial the Commercial Space IndustrySpace Industry

Briefing to the Briefing to the COMSTAC RLV COMSTAC RLV Working GroupWorking Group

May 2006May 2006

Opportunities and Opportunities and ChallengesChallenges

The future will be different for many reasons.The future will be different for many reasons.

Interest/support for RLVs is growingInterest/support for RLVs is growing• Zero-G, Bigelow, X-Cor, SpaceX, Zero-G, Bigelow, X-Cor, SpaceX, xxPrize Cup Prize Cup • NASA in transition: CEV, CLV, COTSNASA in transition: CEV, CLV, COTS• Large “Space Lift” future uncertain: ULA, ConstellationLarge “Space Lift” future uncertain: ULA, Constellation

Technologies emerging in related industriesTechnologies emerging in related industries• Composites -- Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”Composites -- Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”• Non-traditional Systems – Rocket Racing League, SpaceShipOneNon-traditional Systems – Rocket Racing League, SpaceShipOne• GPS, VMS for Space-based TrackingGPS, VMS for Space-based Tracking

Implications for Technology Development

• Major Changes in Key Areas Such as:• Propulsion/Propellants

• Materials

• Flight System Design

• Passenger Travel to Space

• Workforce Skills/Competencies

• Training Methods/Facilities

• Cross Utilization of Systems, People, Processes

• Next Steps• SpaceShipOne/Virgin Galactic

• Shuttle-Derived CEV

• X-Prize Cup – Rocket Races in NM

• Bigelow Inflatable Hotels

• COTS and similar commercial ventures

Aviation

Aerospace

Technology Convergence

Center Vision/Goals

• National Resource for Aerospace Technical Education and Training

• National Infrastructure for Curriculum Validation & Delivery

• National Certification Program

• National Databases, PR, Website, Marketing Resources, Outreach

Center Vision/Goals

• National Resource for Aerospace Technical Education and Training

• National Infrastructure for Curriculum Validation & Delivery

• National Certification Program

• National Databases, PR, Website, Marketing Resources, Outreach

K -12 Enrichment for Curriculum and Faculty Training

K -12 Enrichment for Curriculum and Faculty Training

Recruitment and Pathway

Implementation

Recruitment and Pathway

ImplementationAerospace

A.S. Degrees

AerospaceA.S. Degrees

2+2 Articulation w ith Private/Public

Universities

2+2 Articulation w ith Private/Public

Universities

National Articulation w ith

Community Colleges

National Articulation w ith

Community Colleges

Faculty Workshops and Internships

Faculty Workshops and Internships

Continuing Ed and Technician Career

Development

Continuing Ed and Technician Career

Development

SpaceTECSpaceTEC®®

National Center of ExcellenceNational Center of Excellence

National Skill Standards,

Certifications

National Skill Standards,

Certifications

Conduct DACUM w/ Industry Subject Matter Experts

DACUM Report 1. Duties & Tasks 2. Knowledge & Skills 3. Tools & Equipment 4. Traits & Attitudes

Define IntendedSkill/Competency Levels

Review/Prioritize StandardsSources: NASA, OSHA, Mil-Specs, Best Practices, etc.

Existing Standards

?

Have best qualified subject matter expert develop standard(s)

Choose standard, assign Proficiency Code/Level

No

Yes

Course Outline

Syllabus

Lesson Plans

Compile Certification Exam questions from Lesson Plans,

Existing Programs (FAA A&P) & Subject Matter

Experts

Certification Exam Test Bank

Academic Review

& Approval

CERTIFICATION ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Industry Review

& Validatio

n

Course Delivery

National Certification

No

Yes

Yes

No

DACUM to Curriculum to CertificationValidating Exam Questions

PROFICIENCY CODES SUBJECT 1 Can identify basic facts and terms about the subject. (FACTS)

KNOWLEDGE 2 Can identify relationship of basic facts and state general principles about the subject. (PRINCIPLES)

LEVELS 3 Can analyze facts and principles and draw conclusions about the subject. (ANALYSIS)

SK 4 Can evaluate conditions and make proper decisions about the subject. (EVALUATION)

TASK 1 Can name parts, tools, and simple facts about the task. (NOMENCLATURE)

KNOWLEDGE 2 Can determine step by step procedures for doing the task. (PROCEDURES)

LEVELS 3 Can identify why and when the task must be done and why each step is needed. (OPERATING PROCEDURES)

TK 4 Can predict, isolate, and resolve problems about the task. (ADVANCED THEORY)

TASK 1 Can do part of the task. Needs to be supervised doing most of the task. (LIMITED)

PERFORMANCE 2 Can do most of the task. Needs help only on hardest parts. (PARTIALLY PROFICIENT)

LEVELS 3 Can do all part of the task. Needs only a spot check of completed work. (COMPETENT)

TP 4 Can do the complete task quickly and accurately. Can tell or show others how to do the task. (HIGHLY PROFICIENT)

SK4,TK3,TP3 Tether tools and personal items

SK1, TK1, TP1

Complete a repair project per drawing and specifications

DEMONSTRATE UNDERSTANDING OF SAFE, EFFICIENT, PROFESSIONAL WORK PRACTICES – The student will be able to:

04.01 Observe work area rules and regulations. 04.02 Tether tools and personal items. 04.03 Log tools (ingress/egress). 04.04 Follow clean room/controlled environment procedures. 04.05 Conduct pre-shift/post-shift tool, materials, equipment, and supplies inventory.

04.06 Follow proper foreign object debris (FOD) procedures. 04.07 Inspect for foreign object debris (FOD). (FOD is anything left anywhere that does not belong. Source contract specifies policies and procedures)

04.08 Demonstrate good housekeeping practices. 04.09 Demonstrate knowledge of static electricity hazards. 04.10 Demonstrate professional work ethics. 04.11 Demonstrate knowledge of ISO 9000. 04.12 Demonstrate knowledge of quality assurance sciences. 04.13 Demonstrate knowledge of computer generated quality

management tools. (schedules, flow diagrams, spreadsheets)

SK2, TK2, TP2 SK3, TK3, TP2 SK3, TK3, TP3 SK2, TK2, TP1 SK3, TK2, TP2 SK3, TK3, TP3 SK2, TK2, TP2 SK3, TK3, TP3 SK3, TK2, TP1 SK2, TK2, TP2 SK3, TK1 SK2, TK2 SK2, TK2

Student CompetenciesProficiency Codes

CERTIFIED AEROSPACE TECHNICIAN

Why Certification?No nationally recognized credential for aerospace

technicians.

Individual1. Encourages skills

development beyond current job.

2. Improves worker transportability.

3. Identifies and strengthens professional work ethics and attitude.

4. “Professionalizes” technical career.

5. Provides for a “Legacy of Excellence.”

Company1. Strengthens industry-based

performance standards.2. Reduces need for regulatory

oversight.3. Provides an objective

performance ability index of workforce.

4. Improves workforce qualifications.

5. Opportunity to reward individual initiative.

Exam Infrastructure

• National Scope – (Baseline 5 States)• Secure Internet-Based Testing -- Anytime, Anywhere• Trained/Certified SpaceTEC Examiners (STEs)• Standardized Performance-Based Test Kits (Audited)• Procedures, Checklists & Manuals for Proctors &

Examiners• Self-Sustaining Fee-Based Cost Recovery

Certification Format(3-part Exam)

• Core– Introduction to Workplace– Safety– Applied Mechanics– Basic Electricity– Materials & Processes– Tests & Measurements

• Written (Computer-based)• Oral• Practical (Hands-On)

17 Trained STEs in 5 states

EndorsementsIndustry/Government/Workforce

Current & Future Initiatives

• Core Exam Modified– Certification Readiness Courses– Credit/Non-Credit

• Developing Concentrations– Vehicle Processing– Manufacturing– Troubleshooting– Composites

• National Implementation– Industry/DOD/Labor– Credit for Experience– Skills Assessments

AssessmentResults Analysis

Section 4: MATERIALS AND PROCESSES I AND II4 of the 13 questions presented for this section were answered incorrectly.

Objectives Total Questio

ns

Incorrect

Questions

Metallurgy 1 0

Metallurgical Processes 1 0

Mechanical Behavior 1 0

Conventional Mechanical Testing 1 0

Corrosion 1 1

Corrosion Forms, Causes, Prevention 1 1

Corrosion Control 1 0

Non-Metallic Materials 1 1

Composite Materials 1 0

Structural Characteristics 1 0

Solid Core Structures, Molds, Moldless Wet Lay-up Techniques 1 0

Hollow Structures and Mold Making 1 1

Vacuum Bagging 1 0

Partnership For Action Partnership For Action

NSF Center of Excellence for Aerospace NSF Center of Excellence for Aerospace • Focus on technician credentialingFocus on technician credentialing• Early successes provide lessons in motivationEarly successes provide lessons in motivation• Initial work at NASA/DoD sites Initial work at NASA/DoD sites

Opportunity to Support RLV OperatorsOpportunity to Support RLV Operators• Lessons learned; pathfinder approachesLessons learned; pathfinder approaches• Early preparation for inevitable comparisonsEarly preparation for inevitable comparisons• Opportunity to manage change in favor of Opportunity to manage change in favor of

RLV needsRLV needs