5 min read<\/p>\n
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
NASA\u2019s DC-8 aircraft \u2013 the world\u2019s largest flying science laboratory \u2013 began its science missions in 1987 and since then, has flown in service of the science community over places like Antarctica, Greenland, and Thailand. Aircraft like the DC-8 have enabled scientists to ask questions about life on Earth and explore them in a way that only NASA\u2019s Airborne Science program can make happen. After 37 years, the DC-8 will retire to Idaho State University, where it will serve as an educational tool for students.\u202f<\/p>\n
As the DC-8 approaches its retirement, we highlight five of the women who have made the aircraft and program a success.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u202fKirsten Boogaard, Nicki Reid, Carrie Worth, Erin Waggoner, and WendyBereda of NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, are building the legacy of women who are helping pave the way for the next generation.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2019-0191-240\/AFRC2019-0191-240~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1281&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\")
<\/a><\/figure>Kirsten Boogaard<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nDeputy Project Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\nKirsten Boogaard wears many hats for the DC-8 program, including deputy project manager, mission manager, and assistant mission director.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since 2020, she has served as the deputy project manager on the DC-8 Airborne Science laboratory, leading and managing project planning, integration, and resources. \u202fShe is one of three women qualified in the mission director role for the flying laboratory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am really proud of what I accomplish at work,\u201d Boogaard said. \u201cAnd I am most proud of being able to work full-time and support numerous deployments while having a child.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nickelle Reid<\/strong><\/h2>\nOperations Engineer<\/strong>\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/h4>\n<\/div>\nAs operations engineer, Nicki Reid authorizes the airworthiness for the aircraft by ensuring that the science instruments added onboard sustain the aircraft\u2019s safety. She also serves as the mission director, where she manages communications with the cabin and cockpit crews.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes a lot of practice to get used to hearing all the different conversations and weeding out what\u2019s important, staying focused, and staying on top of all the action that\u2019s happening,\u201d Reid said.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a science mission project, that focus is essential to maintaining efficient communication between scientists and pilots.\u202f Reid has been honing that skill since she started as an intern at NASA Armstrong.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/carrieandnicki.jpg?w=720\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nAirborne science missions are not for the faint of heart! Pilot Carrie Worth and Operations Engineer Nicki Reid are all smiles after landing from a successful science flight.<\/div>\nPhoto courtesy of Carrie Worth<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCarrie Worth<\/strong><\/h2>\nPilot\u202f<\/strong>\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/h4>\n<\/div>\nCarrie Worth is part of a team uniquely qualified to fly the DC-8.\u00a0Her journey to her career as a pilot began as a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was a little kid, I saw Patty Wagstaff perform aeronautical stunts at the airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin,\u201d Carrie Worth, NASA DC-8 pilot, said. \u201cI decided then and there that I wanted to be a pilot.\u201d\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before joining NASA, Worth served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as a special operations and search and rescue pilot, and then worked as a 747 pilot for United Parcel Service in Anchorage, Alaska. As a woman working in a male-majority industry, Worth is grateful for the supportive work environment at NASA and the DC-8 program.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel incredibly lucky for the support I have and have had from my male peers,\u201d she said. \u201cI have seen a significant improvement in the [aviation] culture, but there\u2019s still work to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kirsten Boogaard wears many hats for the DC-8 program, including deputy project manager, mission manager, and assistant mission director.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since 2020, she has served as the deputy project manager on the DC-8 Airborne Science laboratory, leading and managing project planning, integration, and resources. \u202fShe is one of three women qualified in the mission director role for the flying laboratory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am really proud of what I accomplish at work,\u201d Boogaard said. \u201cAnd I am most proud of being able to work full-time and support numerous deployments while having a child.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nickelle Reid<\/strong><\/h2>\nOperations Engineer<\/strong>\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/h4>\n<\/div>\nAs operations engineer, Nicki Reid authorizes the airworthiness for the aircraft by ensuring that the science instruments added onboard sustain the aircraft\u2019s safety. She also serves as the mission director, where she manages communications with the cabin and cockpit crews.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes a lot of practice to get used to hearing all the different conversations and weeding out what\u2019s important, staying focused, and staying on top of all the action that\u2019s happening,\u201d Reid said.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a science mission project, that focus is essential to maintaining efficient communication between scientists and pilots.\u202f Reid has been honing that skill since she started as an intern at NASA Armstrong.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\nAirborne science missions are not for the faint of heart! Pilot Carrie Worth and Operations Engineer Nicki Reid are all smiles after landing from a successful science flight.<\/div>\nPhoto courtesy of Carrie Worth<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCarrie Worth<\/strong><\/h2>\nPilot\u202f<\/strong>\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/h4>\n<\/div>\nCarrie Worth is part of a team uniquely qualified to fly the DC-8.\u00a0Her journey to her career as a pilot began as a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was a little kid, I saw Patty Wagstaff perform aeronautical stunts at the airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin,\u201d Carrie Worth, NASA DC-8 pilot, said. \u201cI decided then and there that I wanted to be a pilot.\u201d\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before joining NASA, Worth served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as a special operations and search and rescue pilot, and then worked as a 747 pilot for United Parcel Service in Anchorage, Alaska. As a woman working in a male-majority industry, Worth is grateful for the supportive work environment at NASA and the DC-8 program.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel incredibly lucky for the support I have and have had from my male peers,\u201d she said. \u201cI have seen a significant improvement in the [aviation] culture, but there\u2019s still work to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
As operations engineer, Nicki Reid authorizes the airworthiness for the aircraft by ensuring that the science instruments added onboard sustain the aircraft\u2019s safety. She also serves as the mission director, where she manages communications with the cabin and cockpit crews.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes a lot of practice to get used to hearing all the different conversations and weeding out what\u2019s important, staying focused, and staying on top of all the action that\u2019s happening,\u201d Reid said.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a science mission project, that focus is essential to maintaining efficient communication between scientists and pilots.\u202f Reid has been honing that skill since she started as an intern at NASA Armstrong.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/figure>Carrie Worth<\/strong><\/h2>\nPilot\u202f<\/strong>\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/h4>\n<\/div>\nCarrie Worth is part of a team uniquely qualified to fly the DC-8.\u00a0Her journey to her career as a pilot began as a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was a little kid, I saw Patty Wagstaff perform aeronautical stunts at the airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin,\u201d Carrie Worth, NASA DC-8 pilot, said. \u201cI decided then and there that I wanted to be a pilot.\u201d\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before joining NASA, Worth served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as a special operations and search and rescue pilot, and then worked as a 747 pilot for United Parcel Service in Anchorage, Alaska. As a woman working in a male-majority industry, Worth is grateful for the supportive work environment at NASA and the DC-8 program.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel incredibly lucky for the support I have and have had from my male peers,\u201d she said. \u201cI have seen a significant improvement in the [aviation] culture, but there\u2019s still work to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carrie Worth is part of a team uniquely qualified to fly the DC-8.\u00a0Her journey to her career as a pilot began as a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was a little kid, I saw Patty Wagstaff perform aeronautical stunts at the airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin,\u201d Carrie Worth, NASA DC-8 pilot, said. \u201cI decided then and there that I wanted to be a pilot.\u201d\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before joining NASA, Worth served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as a special operations and search and rescue pilot, and then worked as a 747 pilot for United Parcel Service in Anchorage, Alaska. As a woman working in a male-majority industry, Worth is grateful for the supportive work environment at NASA and the DC-8 program.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel incredibly lucky for the support I have and have had from my male peers,\u201d she said. \u201cI have seen a significant improvement in the [aviation] culture, but there\u2019s still work to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n