NASA's Unseen Heroes: The Welders Behind the Space Program
Imagine being part of a team that builds the machinery that takes humans to the stars. For welders working at NASA, their work is not just about joining metal parts together; it's about creating something new and vital for space exploration.
A day in the life of a NASA welder involves working with various types of welding processes - from Arc Welding to Laser Welding - to assemble spacecraft components and rocket parts. They also contribute to building launch pads, fuel tanks, propellant lines, and facilities where rockets are assembled. This requires exceptional problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail.
There are several types of welding used at NASA, each with its unique characteristics and applications:
- Arc Welding: Using electricity to melt metals and fuse them together
- Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding: Produces a clean, precise weld by shielding the metal from air
- Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding: Known for fast, strong welds on thicker materials
- Laser Welding: Enables creating tiny, perfect joints for delicate components
- Ultrasonic Welding: Creates solid-state bonds between layers of metal using sound and friction
If you're interested in pursuing a career as a welder at NASA, there are several pathways to explore. You can obtain an associate's degree in welding from a community college or technical school, complete vocational training, or take part in apprenticeships. High schools and local colleges often offer welding classes, providing hands-on experience to determine if it's the right fit for you.
To prepare yourself for this career path, research welding degrees, job vacancies, and apprentice programs. Seeking opportunities to practice and improve your skills will also help you stand out as a candidate.
Meet Michelle Bahnsen, a Research laboratory mechanic/welder at NASA’s Armstrong Test Facility, part of the agency's Glenn Research Center. She emphasizes the importance of building knowledge in math and science, which helps welders understand measurements, geometry, and materials. Another expert, Enricque Lee, tool and die apprentice at NASA's Glenn Research Center, recommends attending a vocational school for welding and working an apprenticeship to gain work experience and training.
In the world of space exploration, welders are the unseen heroes who bring machines together to make the impossible possible.
Imagine being part of a team that builds the machinery that takes humans to the stars. For welders working at NASA, their work is not just about joining metal parts together; it's about creating something new and vital for space exploration.
A day in the life of a NASA welder involves working with various types of welding processes - from Arc Welding to Laser Welding - to assemble spacecraft components and rocket parts. They also contribute to building launch pads, fuel tanks, propellant lines, and facilities where rockets are assembled. This requires exceptional problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail.
There are several types of welding used at NASA, each with its unique characteristics and applications:
- Arc Welding: Using electricity to melt metals and fuse them together
- Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding: Produces a clean, precise weld by shielding the metal from air
- Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding: Known for fast, strong welds on thicker materials
- Laser Welding: Enables creating tiny, perfect joints for delicate components
- Ultrasonic Welding: Creates solid-state bonds between layers of metal using sound and friction
If you're interested in pursuing a career as a welder at NASA, there are several pathways to explore. You can obtain an associate's degree in welding from a community college or technical school, complete vocational training, or take part in apprenticeships. High schools and local colleges often offer welding classes, providing hands-on experience to determine if it's the right fit for you.
To prepare yourself for this career path, research welding degrees, job vacancies, and apprentice programs. Seeking opportunities to practice and improve your skills will also help you stand out as a candidate.
Meet Michelle Bahnsen, a Research laboratory mechanic/welder at NASA’s Armstrong Test Facility, part of the agency's Glenn Research Center. She emphasizes the importance of building knowledge in math and science, which helps welders understand measurements, geometry, and materials. Another expert, Enricque Lee, tool and die apprentice at NASA's Glenn Research Center, recommends attending a vocational school for welding and working an apprenticeship to gain work experience and training.
In the world of space exploration, welders are the unseen heroes who bring machines together to make the impossible possible.
dont get me wrong i love astronomy & all but ppl 4get about da ppl who make it happen 
welders r not just old guys with a torch u know 
its actually super cool they use diff types of welding 2 build rocket parts & fuel tanks like Arc Welding, TIG Welding & Laser Welding 
my fave tho is ultrasonic welding 
it's like soundwaves 4 real 
take classes @ community college or vocational school & apprentice @ somwhere 
It's wild to think about how much welding goes into making those rockets and spacecraft. I'm not surprised they're calling them "unseen heroes" - it's like, people are always talking about astronauts and engineers, but what about the guys who actually make sure everything is safe and secure?
. Michelle Bahnsen's tip about math/science background is so spot on too 
. It's a reminder that even the most unexpected jobs can make a huge impact when you're working on something as cool as space exploration 
!
And it's awesome to see that NASA has different pathways for people who want to become welders, like vocational training and apprenticeships - that sounds like an amazing way to get started! 
. I mean, what's so special about joining metal parts together? It's not like it's rocket science (pun intended). But hey, if being part of NASA is all about building machines that go to space, then good for them, I guess. 
. I mean, have you seen the salaries of NASA employees? They're probably making peanuts compared to what they could be making in the private sector 
.
. Just don't expect me to start cheering for you or anything 
. If you're interested in pursuing a career as a welder at NASA, don't be afraid to explore your options - it sounds like a pretty awesome path to take!
? That's like something out of sci-fi movies right now 
. The fact that they have different types of welding processes, each with its own technique and precision is pretty amazing too 
.
. I mean we need more people like Michelle and Enricque making it happen in space exploration 
!
they're like the real MVPs behind the scenes building the rocket ships that take us to Mars 
I'm def gonna be following their journey on social media and learning more about the welding process 
anyway im glad theyre getting recognition for this stuff, its not just building spaceships its like building machines that can save lives or help people in emergencies. and omg the different types of welding they got here is crazy, I had no idea there was laser welding 
. These welders are just doing their thing, keeping the space program from falling apart... probably. But let's be real, they're not exactly curing cancer or anything 
. They're just welding stuff together. And don't even get me started on how underpaid and overworked they must be to deal with all that stress and responsibility 
. And don't even get me started on how cool it is that they use different types of welding processes - I mean, who needs a fancy degree when you can just master TIG, MIG, or laser welding? 
. I mean, have you seen those welding processes? Arc, TIG, MIG, Laser, and Ultrasonic... it's like a whole other language 
. So if you're thinking of becoming a NASA welder, don't sleep on it! Get yourself an associate's degree, vocational training, or apprenticeships under your belt 
.