Katherine Fanning
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What Katie does:
- Katie is responsible for successful operation of payloads on international space stations. She plans the payloads, transfers from Shuttle to ISS, and offers support of the use of its contents.
- She has held her current position for three years.
- Katie previously worked for the Science Application International Corporation, a contractor to NASA and other government programs. Her work concerned the safety and reliability of launch vehicles.
On the job:
- Katie product reviews the payloads, particularly safety products and items. She is also a part of a twenty-four hour presence that plans any activities and handles any necessary changes. Her other work includes coordinating international partners on their own payload inputs.
- Katie frequently utilizes logistics.
- Katie provided support for the Space Transportation System mission, STS-121, which delivered the European lab to the space station. This was one of Katie's favorite projects since she enjoyed the international travel for the payloads.
Katie's Background:
- Katie attended Tennessee Tech from 2000-2004, majoring in mathematics with a minor in business. She also holds a Masters degree in Operations Research.
- Her experience in Introduction to Math Theory prepared her strongly for this job, because of the logical thinking involved. Her responsibilities demand an aptitude in reasoning and problem solving.
- Engineering disciplines, such as electrical/mechanical knowledge, are beneficial skills for Katie's position.
- Katie acquired early experience with an internship at NASA during college. Summertime research projects also helped.
Advice for students:
- "You learn so much in math classes other than just manipulating numbers. The problem solving and logical thinking skills are just as important. You will use these skills in every aspect of your life for the rest of your life."
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