Return To Flight | Working for NASA
NASA is routinely ranked highest among the best agencies in the Federal Government to work. The turnover within the agency is very low and there are a lot smart people with years of experience in their respective fields.
Columbia Disaster,NASA,Space Program,Columbia Shuttle,Return to Flight
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Working for NASA

Dr. James F. Peters | NASA

22 Jun Working for NASA

NASA is routinely ranked highest among the best agencies in the Federal Government to work. The turnover within the agency is very low and there are a lot smart people with years of experience in their respective fields. NASA tackles a lot of challenging, cutting-edge projects that makes the work exciting and the employees highly motivated to succeed. There is a lot of camaraderie within the Human Spaceflight community were the stakes are high and the consequence of failure often loss of human life.

I had always wanted to work for NASA—ever since visiting the opening of the Neil Armstrong museum near my home years before. I was looking for a larger leadership role than Boeing had been able to provide. I wanted to work for NASA for the same reasons I went to the Naval Academy and served on the USS Hyman G. Rickover. I admitted the challenge and high expectations seduced me. Knowing John was a retired air force officer, I also added that I thought NASA could use the help of an ex-navy “nuke” to get the shuttle flying again. My Boeing colleagues thought I was crazy to make such a move, and some former NASA employees who had been purged from NASA after the Columbia accident and were now working for Boeing said I should seriously reconsider. My boss asked why a person like me would like to work for a person like John after thirteen exceptional years at Boeing. Not usually caught off guard or at a loss for words, I jokingly replied I liked my plebe year at the academy and needed another.