[AR] Re: Career advice please.
- From: Brett Coles <brettcoles@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2021 18:40:53 -0600
Charlie,
As someone who was once in your shoes, (I have always been interested in
space, but really started researching and doing stuff at 14) the best thing
you can do is build something. It can be difficult since most 14 year olds
aren't known for their wealth, but it is possible. If I could do it again,
I would start smaller. I started with a Level 2 High Power Rocket that was
expensive and I didn't have the knowledge to build. I had a lot of growing
pains. I learned a lot, but I probably could have learned more by starting
smaller. The nice thing about rocketry is that you can learn a lot by just
downloading some computer programs and messing around with them. Many (like
OpenRocket or OpenMotor) are free.
*-what can I start doing now, at age 14, that will benefit me in the long
run*
That is an excellent question! I wouldn't focus so much on trying to nail
down a career at your age and more on discovering what things you enjoy.
Engineers do many things, and even though Aerospace is a specialized field,
there is still a lot of variation. Do you enjoy chemistry? Do you enjoy
working with your hands? Do you enjoy coming up with designs conceptually?
Do you enjoy working the details? Do you enjoy robotics? You'll never know
until you try. Identify some projects you would like to do. (They don't
have to be rocketry related. In fact, the more varied experiences you get
at this point, the better) Find a mentor, work on solving the "problem",
build the thing, see if it solves the problem. Most of all, find things you
enjoy.
One thing that is often overlooked in engineering is communication and
social skills. A lot of engineers scoff at this, but having good
communication skills and being able to work well with others really makes
you stand out in a good way. There are a lot of engineers who are brilliant
and hard-working, but get turned down for jobs because they are terrible to
work with.
If you're dead-set on propulsion, (That's fine. That's how I was.) Start
with simple stuff. Learn the basics of how rockets function before ever
cracking open a textbook like Sutton or trying to design something. You'll
save yourself a lot of trouble and not run the risk of losing your fingers.
I started by reading the book *HOW to DESIGN, BUILD and TEST SMALL
LIQUID-FUEL ROCKET ENGINES
<
http://gramlich.net/projects/rocket/index.html> * and even though I didn't
build my own at that point, I got the basics of how they worked and started
drawing flow diagrams of engines I wanted to build. YouTube is an excellent
place to do this actually. Channels I recommend for learning about
propulsion:
- Scott Manley has excellent videos on rocket propulsion that give a great
overview
- Everyday astronaut has more detailed long-format videos going over many
of the same things
- Joe Barnard (on this list): has videos detailing his projects (not
necessarily propulsion-related, but they show off the engineering process
really well)
- Charlie Garcia (also on this list): has videos going over various
propulsion topics and covering some design work.
- A lot of universities have a good YouTube presence and like to show off
their projects.
- I'm sure I missed somebody. That's at least a good start.
*-what does a typical workday consist of when managing/designing rockets?*
I actually don't know. I don't start my job until June. I'm still a student
at the moment, and my internship opportunity was cancelled due to COVID.
*-what recourses (books, websites, etc) do you recommend to expand my
knowledge on the topic?*
See above.
*-What company’s are doing interesting work in the field?*
There are currently a lot of companies doing really cool work. For
propulsion, I can think of several beyond SpaceX:
- Agile
- Masten
- RocketLab
- Blue Origin
- Aerojet-Rocketdyne (Now Lockheed Martin, if the government doesn't think
this violates antitrust laws)
- Northrop Grumman
- Ursa Major Technologies
- I think ULA is even getting a propulsion department?
- NASA does a lot of propulsion research if you want to go that route
- I'm sure there are others that I have missed
*-What technology have you worked on and what was it like to see it perform
the way it did?*
The first solid motor I made and fired was really cool. I helped cast the
propellant as well as designing the forward closure. It was the first thing
I had ever really designed and built from scratch. It got me hooked. (Then
the university decided to shut our propulsion program down, but that's a
different story)
I haven't had the opportunity to work on real propulsion hardware yet, but
I get to start my job in June!
That was probably more than you were looking for, but good luck! There are
a lot of really cool people with interesting experience on this list. I
even enjoy lurking. (Which is what I do most of the time)
Best,
Brett
On Mon, Mar 15, 2021 at 5:44 PM Dr Edward Jones <RocketPioneer@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Two books deserve your attention:
Rocket Propulsion Elements, George P Sutton; earliest editions are
simpler to study, and have all the essentials, IMO. I favor the second
edition, personally.
[NASA SP-125] Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines (NASA Space
Vehicle Design Criteria) is quite comprehensive, and is available free
as PDF online.
Reading everything by Robert Goddard is likewise prudent, starting
with A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes.
I started at Aerojet-General at age 17, in 1957, as a result of a
small liquid rocket I built and entered in a science fair. Today, I'd
personally focus on SpaceX, or perhaps a small niche company that has
a good track record.
This aRocket forum represents the best of the best among both pros and
amateurs. Inquire here for good, responsible replies.
Get our asses to Mars, Charlie. We're counting on you! All the best in
your future!
Edward
--
Brett J. Coles
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