The Nasa Experience

Looking at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), one would think that it’s impossible to get on a spaceship and analyse data, but for Benjamin Nathanael, this was a dream come tru

Joining three scientists from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and one from the University of Namibia (Unam), Nathaneal was able to participate in Nasa’s science project titled ‘Oracles’ (Observations of Aerosols Above Clouds and Their Interactions) at the Namibian coast. Nathanael shared his experience with YouthPaper.

The Project

According to Nasa, southern Africa produces almost a third of the earth’s biomass-burning (BB) aerosol particles, but these are not properly understood. Because of this, the Oracles programme was launched in order to “study key processes that determine the climate impacts of African BB aerosols”. This five-year observation studies cloud properties and radiation over the south Atlantic as well as acquiring a better understanding of aerosol-cloud-radiation interactions and how they can be applied in global models.

Because of this, Namibia was a part of the studies and the Nasa team set up the project at the coast, taking along student scientists for observation reasons.

The purpose of the mission, Nathanael says, is to collect atmospheric data relevant for climate science-related studies using two Nasa research aircraft, a P3 and an ER2.

“I left Windhoek, the capital city and place where I have spent most of my time over the past couple of years. The destination was the Namibian coast and the purpose for the trip was what I would like to call ‘the greatest science undertaking I have ever been part of’,” Nathanael said. He joined the project as a graduate student intern for three weeks.

“Taking a picture every now and then, the first two to three days were spent with great excitement, meeting different people and getting to know their names, research interests and their home institutions. We were welcomed by cordial Nasa scientists, engineers and programmers on Sunday, 4 September at Swakopmund and spent the afternoon and part of the evening interacting with them and asking questions driven by our strong curiosity. We then got introduced briefly to the project’s aim and objectives. We had some questions to answer too, about our interests and experience as scientists.”

In Detail

During Nathanael’s experience with the Oracles project, he hung out in the hangars with the pilots and researched aircrafts and instruments.The aircrafts aren’t just regular planes, though. They contain unique instruments to collect data from clouds and other parts of the atmosphere at various altitudes.

One such aircraft is the P3, which takes 10 instruments to measure aerosols (minute particles suspended in the atmosphere), water vapour and solar radiation, among other atmospheric constituents. Interestingly enough, it flies at between 100 metres and 7km above the ocean.

Another aircraft, known as the ER2, flies at much higher altitudes (up to 21km) and takes five instruments.

Nathaneal shared what it was like: “I have flown in planes before, here in Africa as well as other parts of the world including the United Kingdom and the United States. But this was a completely different experience. First, this was a research aircraft and the other flights were with commercial airplanes. Instead of a pilot getting into a cockpit to ‘do his thing’ to navigate the plane to its destination as it is done in most commercial airplane trips, the flight altitude, position and speed is determined by a group of scientists on board who are sitting next to their instruments. Because of the many instruments on board, the aircraft must cruise at different altitudes: Above, within and below clouds in order to accommodate every instrument”.

Getting a chance to listen to scientific presentations on topics such as cloud fundamentals, in-situ observational studies of the clouds, air pollution and climate, Nathaneal is definitely happy about the experience.

How Science is an

Option for You

If you thought science was boring, think again. Becoming a scientist, engineer or programmer are just a few of the many things you can do if you’re interested in working at a place like Nasa.

But what are some of the personality traits you should have if you want to pursue a career in science?

“Competence. Honesty. Dedication. Co-ordination. Perseverance. Patriotism. Fearlessness. These are some of the words that I chose to use if I have to describe the team working on this project. It was amazing how each person was competent at what he or she was doing. Planning is done punctually and proactively and everything is communicated to the team on time. It is also remarkable how pilots take on these flights and some of these terrifying exercises in the world,” Nathaneal said.

During his time there, he said one of the pilots named Mike showed him how to wear a water wing and how to handle an emergency. The words delivered to him stuck: “Maybe you guys are the ones who are going to survive, so make sure you tell our story too”.

Interested in the field? Unam offers various courses in science such as applied biochemistry, applied statistics, geochemistry, computer science, microbiology and physics, among many others. For these courses, English is compulsory with a minimum C-symbol in a second language, as well as a minimum of 25 points. A C-symbol in maths, biology and physical science is also required.

NUST also offers scientific courses in biomedical science, environmental health science and applied mathematics or statistics as well as a Masters degree in geo-information science and earth observation or a bachelor of geo-information technology which would be relevant for Nasa. To get into the bachelor degree programme, you’d have to meet the basic admission requirements (25 points or more) in addition to a total of 18 points for mathematics, physics, geography or natural science in a combination of symbols. Only one of the subjects may be a C on ordinary level or a 4 on higher level.

Advice

Nathanael offered some advice for aspiring scientists and students. “You are a genius. Everyone is capable of achieving something. I would like to call upon all young people to rise above life’s challenges and divert their attentions to their studies. It is your responsibility as young citizens in a democracy to ensure you make the most out of your education.”

He believes Namibia was capable of creating planes and manufacturing sophisticated instruments as well. “We are not saying everyone must become a scientist because a country with scientists alone cannot meet all its needs. We need lawyers, actors, accountants and pastors. The key trait is to be good at what you are doing. Additionally, it is important to work together. Befriend that pupil who sits on the other side of the class and always get better grades, don’t regard him/her as a competitor or an enemy. As the African proverb says: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together’.”

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