Technicians for the

Dr. Al Koller, SpaceTEC® Executive Director

Frank Margiotta, SpaceTEC® Program Manager

Preparing
Technicians for the
Commercial Space
Industry



Briefing to the COMSTAC
RLV Working Group

May 2006

Opportunities and Challenges


The future will be different for many reasons.





Interest/support for RLVs is growing

•
Zero
-
G, Bigelow, X
-
Cor, SpaceX,
x
Prize Cup

•
NASA in transition: CEV, CLV, COTS

•
Large “Space Lift” future uncertain: ULA, Constellation


Technologies emerging in related industries

•
Composites
--

Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”

•
Non
-
traditional Systems
–

Rocket Racing League,
SpaceShipOne

•
GPS, 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
Implementation
Aerospace
A.S. Degrees
Aerospace
A.S. Degrees
2+2 Articulation
with Private/Public
Universities
2+2 Articulation
with Private/Public
Universities
National
Articulation with
Community Colleges
National
Articulation with
Community Colleges
Faculty Workshops
and Internships
Faculty Workshops
and Internships
Continuing Ed and
Technician Career
Development
Continuing Ed and
Technician Career
Development
SpaceTEC
SpaceTEC
®
®
National Center of Excellence
National 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 Intended

Skill/Competency Levels

Review/Prioritize
Standards

Sources: 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

Academi
c Review
&
Approval

CERTIFICATION

ACADEMIC
PROGRAM

Industry
Review
&
Validatio
n

Course
Delivery

National
Certification

No

Yes

Yes

No


DACUM to Curriculum to Certification

Validating 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 clea

n 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 d

oes 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 Competencies

Proficiency
Codes

CERTIFIED AEROSPACE
TECHNICIAN

Why Certification?

No nationally recognized credential for aerospace
technicians.


Individual

1.
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.”

Company

1.
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


Endorsements

Industry/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

Assessment

Results Analysis

Section 4: MATERIALS AND PROCESSES I AND II

4 of the 13 questions presented for this section were answered
incorrectly.






Objectives

Total
Questio
ns

Incorrec
t
Questio
ns

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


NSF Center of Excellence for Aerospace

•
Focus on technician credentialing

•
Early successes provide lessons in motivation

•
Initial work at NASA/DoD sites


Opportunity to Support RLV Operators

•
Lessons learned; pathfinder approaches

•
Early preparation for inevitable comparisons

•
Opportunity to manage change in favor of
RLV needs