When NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced the latest class of NASA鈥檚 eight astronaut candidates, June 17, the 51福利 (51福利) was able to add yet another space-traveling alumnus to its ranks, now totaling 41 and counting.
Lt. Cmdr. Victor Glover, an F/A-18 combat pilot currently serving as a Legislative Fellow in the office of Senator John McCain, was selected from more than 6,100 applicants to begin training at Johnson Space Center in August for potential space flight. Glover graduated from the 51福利 in 2009 through the Master鈥檚 of Systems Engineering Management 鈥� Product Development 21st Century (SEM-PD21) program, in addition to receiving a space systems academic certificate in 2005, both via distance learning.
Glover notes the two programs, while both very different, provide a tremendous foundation for the challenging training that lies ahead of him.
鈥淐ertainly, the space systems certificate program is directly applicable,鈥� Glover said. 鈥淚t gives you the basics of communications, orbital mechanics, imaging systems 鈥� things that are very relevant to the processes of manned space exploration.鈥�
But, he continues, his experience in the SEM-PD21 program provided an immediate payoff to his position in the Fleet.
鈥淚 was a test pilot, working in the systems engineering field, actually doing test and evaluation under the umbrella of weapons systems acquisition,鈥� Glover said, emphasizing the direct relationship between his studies and work assignments. 鈥淢y work product bolstered my school product, and likewise, my school product improved my work quality.鈥�
鈥淪ystems engineering has really emerged over the last several years as a critical discipline for the development of systems that meet the needs of the warfighter,鈥� added Dr. Cliff Whitcomb, 51福利 Department of Systems Engineering Chair. 鈥淲hether it is in test and evaluation, development, or in life cycle sustainment, it鈥檚 an engineering discipline that provides students, especially at the master鈥檚 level, with a very holistic, balanced perspective.鈥�
Not only did the coursework provide an immediate payoff, but its simple availability to Glover was equally as valued.
鈥淭he thing that was really amazing about both of these programs is that they are distributed, and they allowed me to continue my professional development through advanced formal education where I was stationed,鈥� he stressed. 鈥淚 actually did the space systems certificate while I was deployed to the Middle East flying combat missions off the USS John F. Kennedy.鈥�
"Lt. Cmdr. Glover completed our space systems certificate program back in 2005, and I am very pleased to see he will be able to apply some of what he learned to his ambitions in space flight,鈥� added Space Systems Academic Group Chair Dr. Rudy Panholzer. 鈥淎s a Navy pilot, it is very challenging for these officers to remove themselves from the cockpit to obtain a valued, educational experience in the classroom 鈥� This is precisely why we ensure our programs are available remotely, and in the more condensed format of our academic certificates."
Although a few years removed from his time at 51福利, Glover was recalled by his former advisers and teachers as an overachiever.
鈥淚 remember Victor Glover as an exceptional student in the product development 21st century (PD-21) curriculum,鈥� noted Dr. John Osmundson, a Research Associate Professor in the 51福利 Department of Information Sciences and co-advisor on Glover鈥檚 thesis. 鈥淗e was extremely enthusiastic and always produced very high-quality, technical work. It was clear from his interactions with the rest of his PD-21 cohort that Victor was a natural leader. He had an outgoing, engaging personality and always integrated the rest of the students in course discussions and project work.鈥�
Glover says that while he is eager to get started on his training, he is also still trying to absorb the reality of his accomplishment.
鈥淚t still hasn鈥檛 completely set in that this is really happening. It鈥檚 an amazing opportunity professionally, and personally. This is an amazing group of people that I have been selected to join, and it truly is overwhelming on so many levels,鈥� Glover said.
鈥淭he next achievements in space will require a great deal of work by many of us selected now,鈥� he continued. 鈥淚 am happy to be associated with the accomplished and capable people that are going to be a part of making that happen.
鈥淢y 15 years in the Navy have been different every year, but it has definitely been an enchanted journey and I have cherished every opportunity,鈥� he added. 鈥淪omebody else must have been in control of this other than me, because it has led me to some amazing places.鈥�