Christopher L. Nelson

Coming from the frozen north of Wisconsin, I have had the opportunity to visit a variety of places.  I was born in Wisconsin where I grew up for the majority of my childhood, attending Lincoln High School there and then the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where I studied Mathematics.  From there I moved to the sunny south of Florida where I now attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  I am now working on my Bachelors of Science in Engineering Physics in the hopes to graduate in Dec. of 2002 and return here to JSC.

Currently I am working in the IVA (Intravehicular Activity) Flight Crew Equipment group here at Johnson Space Center.  I have been working here for a number of months on a variety of tools and restraints for inside the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station.  The IVA Flight Crew Equipment group is responsible for all items within the vehicle.  From personal hygiene items like toothbrushes and combs to the clothes the astronauts wear and the tools they use to do their jobs on orbit.  My group within the Flight Crew Equipment group is known as the Restraints and Mobility Aids (R&MA).  I assist in the development and certification of items like bungees, handrails and seat track studs.  We are primarily responsible for all the items inside the vehicle used to hold bags and other items from floating around and accidentally hitting buttons or switches.

Some other activities I am involved in here include the participation in a number of athletic leagues offered at the Gilruth Center.  These include Softball and Soccer.  I also enjoy Rock Climbing and Volunteering.  I have been involved in a number of activities here at JSC that are oriented towards encouraging students to participate in the space program and in science as a whole.  I have also helped with the Mars Design Competition, which turned out to be an excellent opportunity for students and myself.  Between all of that and work, I find time to be a Volunteer Fire Fighter for one of the local surrounding communities.

I enjoy working here at JSC, it is truly an amazing opportunity to be a part of a History making operation like the International Space Station.  Congratulations on your selection into the Texas Aerospace Scholars program and Welcome.

Last Updated: 06/20/01