Working My Way into Space

Dreaming of Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:32:00 +0000

I am long overdue for an entry, this I realize. Stephan Wlodarczyk is still here folks, I am alive and well and of course, still dreaming up dreams. I was trying to hold off for the longest time, just hoping I would be receiving a phone call filled with good news. I was recently granted an interview by Boeing and it was an interview like no other. Try envisioning a day where you felt as if everything was going your way, a day which your were feeling invulnerable and not a single soul or force could stop. That is what I felt like after my one hour interview!

That interview happened back in the early month of November, and I patiently waited for a phone call to find out if I would have the summer co-op position in St. Louis. Day after day, week after week, I hovered over my phone, hoping to see the 314 area code appear on my cellphone when finally it happened. I was told I was the number one candidate for the position, and that I would be given the offer, but they could not extend it because the facility I would be positioned at was undergoing budget constraints. Therefore, I will not know definitively if I will be taken in until sometime this month. Thus, I have to wait for another dreaded phone call.

I was hoping the next entry I made on this site was me exclaiming I earned a co-op with Boeing. Technically speaking, I did earn it, just haven't been granted the offer. The past few months have just been a roller coaster of emotions. I halted the ROTC program because being a dual major in Software Engineering and Information Technology is enough for me to handle at this point of time. But ever since I stopped, I feel like I have let myself down. I feel like I have given up.

My parents and family say I am too hard on myself. My friends and colleagues say I work to much, and others say whats all the fuss. Perhaps this is all true, perhaps I am being to hard on myself... maybe. But like Christopher Gardener said in the Pursuit of Happiness, "You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period."

Well damn it, I am going to protect it, I will persevere, and I not going to give up. There is a dream out there with my name on it, and I, Stephan Wlodarczyk, am refusing to let it go.

Cadet Wlodarczyk

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:10:00 +0000

I am long overdue for a writeup and so enough of the writer's block!

I cannot remember when I first became so obsessed with learning about World War II. It may have been a day when I enjoyed a classic black and white war film with my father or perhaps my interest came about from the numerous video games I played growing up such as Medal of Honor, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, or Brothers in Arms.

Of course when I was younger, I never understood the purpose war. Back to those classic films, I recall watching The Longest Day for the first time, remembering how brilliant and awesome these men were for charging up these beach heads in Normandy. I failed to realize at the time how Hollywood made the event much more glorified and majestic.

On the other hand, when you see films like Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers, there is a whole other aspect to war which you never saw in the 50s and 60s. You see horrific events unfold, you see the hardship, chaos, and the sacrifices made. You see things that you would not wish for any human to endure.

* * * * *

When I was a senior in high school, our history class was given a mandatory assignment in which we had to write an essay on the meaning of Memorial Day. The entire history department would then review our work and decide who prepared the best essay overall, thus earning the privilege to read it out loud to hundreds of people in my hometown during Memorial Day weekend.

When I was told in class that my essay was chosen, I had this overwhelming feeling, almost as if I knew I was going to be picked. And when that day came, when I had to stand in front of the village of Newark, I knew my emotions would consume me, not realizing how many people I would affect because of it.

I wish I could share the essay with everyone, but I do not think I ever saved it nor backed it up on a computer. It was nothing sophisticated; no fancy vocabulary, did not sound poetic, nothing special at all. But what was written down was true and pure and I do recall one of the lines:

"...and when men stormed the beaches of Normandy, many of them perished before setting foot upon the ground, let alone even fire a single shot back at their enemy."

It was after this line my eyes filled with tears that day. I did not think I could manage to carry fourth with the reading. I stumbled across the last few sentences, gasping for air, wiping my tears, praying that I could just be done with it all.

Yet it was through this moment when I realized just how grateful I was. I taught and learned myself the true meaning of Memorial Day and I never forgot the tears I placed in the eyes of my friends, family, classmates, and in people I never once said hello too.

When it was all said and done, a veteran approached the podium I stood at and announced to the crowd: "I am going to do something that I have never done in the 12 years of my service."

He turned facing me, stood at attention, and raised his hand to his eye brow. There I stood, everyone completely silent, and here was a military veteran saluting me. This image has never faded away and every time I recall upon this day, even now, my eyes still swell up.

I have always had this urge to join the military. I guess you could say its a calling, but nonetheless, I feel obligated to serve.

I am Cadet Third Class Wlodarczyk of the United States Air Force ROTC program at RIT.

I enrolled on a last minute decision shortly after my summer classes finished. I felt that this would be my one and only opportunity left to see if the military is something I do want to pursue after college.

I see it as a way to pay the respects of those who have fallen, who sacrificed their lives to enable the life I have to day. I see it as a chance to gain credible work experience in the space and missile defense sector and perhaps further enable me to pursue my ambitions in joining the Astronaut Corp.

* * * * *

I have much more on my mind to write about, much more stories to elaborate on and share, but unfortunately I have to cut it here for now. I have 3 examinations tomorrow which I desperately need to prepare for. So although I would love to go further with this, I have to leave you abruptly.

At least I finally made an attempt to break this writing drought. So until then, I continue on my journey. See you out there!

STS-135: Final Space Shuttle Mission [Concluded]

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:04:00 +0000

The end of our space program?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:02:00 +0000

Is it really the end or is there something in our near future to rise above the shuttle program? Your guess is good as mine. Some will state SpaceX is going to get us back up into the black abyss. Others will say NASA will recover with new technology and launch capabilities. As for the rest, well they say down with the program.

What do I think? I tend to be optimistic about the first two statements. I have always favored SpaceX to be our new beginning as a space fairing nation. It would broaden our access to low earth orbit and allow time for NASA to recuperate and gain control of its leadership and vision. I am not the one to accuse and point fingers but the truth is there; our failure to construct a new program in exchange of the shuttles is because there was no sincere administration.

Perhaps all the news regarding the final shuttle mission will get the public’s attention. Maybe this transition will get people excited about space again. Yet, there are those who will ignore the warning as they are certain space exploration is a waste of our tax dollars. Let me address these two comments that I have seen across many news websites and message boards (they make my blood boil).

"Why explore when we have our own problems on Earth?"
Since the dawn of our existence, we have had problems. It is in our blood to seek out conflict; we are drawn to it for some bizarre reason. Think about it, how many crime shows do we have on T.V. nowadays? We like to watch Judge Judy, people love to chant “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry”, and we can’t seem to get enough of it. The question all together is bologna (for lack of a better word). Let’s face the real fact: There will and will always be problems on Earth.

People do not seem to understand the architectural feat that humans have just accomplished. The International Space Station, a scientific/research complex built some 200 miles above the Earth , assembled in cooperation of several space agencies around the globe:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Russian Federal Space Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Canadian Space Agency
European Space Agency (16 countries total).

I can’t think of any other program on this planet that has allowed several countries to work together to build such a structure. To top it off, we built the orbiting complex in one of the most hazardous and hostile environment, the vacuum of space.

Think about it, more than 8% of the world helped contribute to the ISS. Imagine what we could achieve if that percentage increased… Exploration of the cosmos has only allowed us to strengthen our ties with other countries. In my rebuttal, to rid of human spaceflight would only cause a bigger dilemma on Earth.

"Space is a waste of money."
Oh yes, I have heard this one before, actually it has been said to me numerous times. I can state the redundant facts like how NASA is only less than 1% of the entire federal budget, or how many technological spin-offs have debut from our space program and benefited the lives of many. I can spew all this information out to try to prove to you the money invested in NASA is well worth it. Yet, something even more powerful than money comes to my mind.

When you look at this picture, what do you conclude: awesome, cool, epic, stunning, amazing…?
Sure, these are all fair emotions, but I think there is one in particular which people tend overlook; a sense of pride. People are in absolute awe when they see this magnificent machine roar skyward. There is this overwhelming feeling consuming the body. The journey, the endeavor, the exploration of the heavens; it excites us, it captivates us, it unites us.

The space program inspires the young minds of tomorrow; in fact, it inspires every age group out there. To disassemble our space program and rid NASA would only be a shame. You want children to be interested in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology – then we need events like these to keep taking place.

Godspeed to Atlantis, the STS-135 crew, and the workforce of NASA.

Never stop dreaming

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:08:00 +0000

A full day of programming in C++

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 06:58:00 +0000

After numerous hours of research, studying old textbooks, and some old fashioned paper and pencil, I made some great progress on my proposed software application.

What the video below shows is a brief demonstration on what my program will be able to produce; a mock simulation of rocket launches with real-time telemetry data. I recorded my computer desktop that displays a YouTube video of a shuttle launch. It provided a statistics window at the bottom left which is NASA's recorded telemetry.

The black console window which opens at T-minus zero seconds is the programming application that I created. So far, its able to record the changes in acceleration and velocity after every second. You can compare the two windows and see how similar they are to one another.

The video needs to be watched in high definition: http://vimeo.com/25585579

The numbers do not match up exactly as the one shown in the launch video. The values I have used in my equations are general approximations. Not every shuttle launch produces the same thrust output, or carries the same payload weight, and so on and so forth.

So what's next? There is still a lot to accomplish. The next goal is to incorporate an altitude meter. It would be rather simple to do if rockets went straight up, an equation could be derived with ease. However, this is not the case. Rockets start off vertical, but over time they arc; manifesting themselves in an orbit around the earth. Thus, trying to constantly find the altitude becomes a little fuzzy. Looks like I am going to have to buckle down again and dig deeper to find out how to do this trajectory stuff works.

Until then, see you there!

The best of both worlds.

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 04:14:00 +0000

There is still a part of me which leaves me disappointed in myself. Disappointed to the fact I left Embry-Riddle. Disappointed because I had this overwhelming sensation of being apart of something epic. There is this piece of me that still screams out I want to be an aerospace engineer. To stay at Embry-Riddle for at least another 4 years was not a realistic scenario for me at this point in my life. It is a tough situation, to break apart from something your mind desires, yet knowing the mind is not quite suited for the job you wish to tackle.

I do not know if my family knows how truly grateful I am to be apart of their lives. I have had support when I never supported myself. I have been given confidence when I sweated tears of frustration and defeat. I have had the love and appreciation that no person would ever think to give up.

But here I ponder, thinking of the grueling challenges I faced in my educational life. So many what-if possibilities... What if I took the time to study harder in algebra and pre-calculus in high school? What if I took that AP physics class? What if I wanted to apart of the space program when I was 9 instead of 19? I could lay in bed dwell on the subject all night, or, I could do something about it.

My resolution; to bring back that aerospace engineer inside of me. Today, I started developing a software application which will have the capability of processing and recording telemetry data for any desired spacecraft. The concept can be easily understood, but the methodology for creating such an application is unknown territory. The mathematics behind it all is foreign to me.

This is a project of many proofs. It is a proof to myself that I can still be apart of the aerospace realm as a software engineer. It is a proof that I am capable of unlocking my logical mind to the world of mathematics. And lastly, it is a proof to show I will do whatever it takes to be apart of NASA, SpaceX, or any other space affiliated agency out there who's sole purpose is explore that black abyss we call space.

I choose to work my way into space and do the other things, not because it is going to be easy, but because it is going to be hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of my energy and skills, because that challenge is one that I am willing to accept, one that I am unwilling to postpone, and one which I intend to win, and the others too.

Until then folks, see you out there!

Releasing my inner self.

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:43:00 +0000

It has been some time since my last post but my time has been occupied with my studies at RIT. But here I am, wide awake on a Saturday night, thinking; it is time to show my true inner self.

I have tried to keep an image of myself on this blog that I feel doesn't show the real me. It usually takes me numerous hours or sometimes even days to develop a single blog posting. I am never fully satisfied either after I upload them to the web. I feel I am not expressing myself as much I would like to.

There is another side to my story that people do not witness. I tend to keep a majority of them hidden from the blogging world. Well, not anymore...

I understand, to be involved heavily with the aerospace industry, especially if one wants to go into space, you have to be intelligent. But so many people place emphasis on a stereotype of which I loathe. You know the drill, the one where everyone calls you a geek, nerd, super smart, and of course the list goes on and on.

Why am I bringing this up you might ask? My return to RIT has been nothing but struggle and stress. My grades for the ending spring quarter were A, C, C, D. Shocking for some, I know. They are not your typical grades from someone who is suppose to be a "geek".

People get the impression that I love and enjoy education. Well, truth be told, I do in fact enjoy learning, however I despise the process of being educated. The countless nights of studying, memorizing definitions, cramming 80 mathematical formulas on a 3x5 index card., and all for what? To earn a letter that supposedly represents my intelligence?

Well this is just great because I am a lousy test taker. I always have been and always will be. Do not get me wrong, I am not trying to be a negative person here, but I think I tried ever tip and trick there is to improve myself. I have just learned to accept this struggle, just like I have learned to accept my weakness for mathematics.

It is strange how the human mind behaves and grasps new knowledge. My roommate and I were discussing the other night on how I can memorize movie quotes so well. I in return asked him how he can memorize lyrics to songs so well because for some odd reason, I can listen to a song on repeat a hundred times, yet still manage to goof up the chorus. If someone tries to describe a song to me and blurts out a few lyrics, I will never guess it. However, if someone hums a tune, chances are I will know it. Why? I wish I knew. If I unveiled the secret of how my brain interprets information, I would probably be able to resolve my test taking dilemma, maybe even grasp the logic behind math. Unfortunately, this is not the case yet.

Anyways, I am getting off topic hear. My point that I am trying to make is that I struggle a lot in school. It defeats me because I feel the super-smart-geek stereotype holds some truth in the career I wish to pursue. People who are apart of the Astronaut Corp. seem to be amongst a band of elite scientists, engineers, and military personnel. To be apart of that crew, you have to be intelligent, you have to know your mathematics and your sciences, you have to be all you can be. While I feel I fit the third quality, the other two I fall behind in.

There is a lot of information I want to convey, but I do not know how to put it all into words.I am trying to be more open here about the thoughts that revolve relentlessly in my mind. I am trying to crack open the first shell here so to speak so bear with me. Maybe I will break here as I think I am trying to smash all my thoughts into one posting. I just feel compelled to express myself and more frequently from now on.

That is not to say I will not be carrying on as usual too, doing what I do:

Preaching my beliefs on the necessity of our space program, exclaiming the importance of NASA and the agency's fellow affiliates. And of course, I will keep showing off the work I am undertaking to reach my ambitions. Even if I do not fit the so called "astro-nut stereotype", I am not going to stop pursuing my dream. They told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and well maybe I am a little told old for this saying, I still tend to believe it.

So until then folks, see you out there!

Endeavour's Final Voyage

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 01:53:00 +0000

"Let freedom roar! Let's light 'em up!"

The F-177 Aerojet

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:28:00 +0000

T-Minus 6 Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:14:00 +0000

(Sample of one of my homework problems)

Just when I thought I was done with Calculus, I am swept back into it! Returning to RIT has been a challenge, but in a good way. I love this University, but being away from the trimester (quarter) system for a year and half now has really upset my daily routines. I became so accustomed to sunny Florida that I forgot what RIT was like. Four weeks in and I have midterms coming up already next week! It is crazy how fast these quarters pass on by. Nonetheless I'm trudging through the work and bringing harmony back into my schedule.

But what's new you might ask? Well... I finally completed my entry for this year's NASA design competition. I crafted a conceptual 3D model of an aircraft in the future. I tried to be as original as possible in my design, only incorporating some modern designs into my project. I'm just waiting for my registration and entry to be officially uploaded, then I will release my work.

Other than that, I have been able to keep myself busy just with the work load I have from my classes. Haha, okay, so I do take breaks every now and then and fool around in Photoshop. But in all seriousness, I do have to get back to work! Until then, see you out there!

Time Flies!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:43:00 +0000

So the word on the street is I have not blogged since February 23! Well now that I am long overdue, let's get to it shall we? As most of you know, I was in the process of transferring back to Rochester Institute of Technology for Software Engineering. Well, I am back, two weeks in, and the quarter will conclude in just eight weeks! I will be prepping for midterm exams by the end of this month! Talk about time flying...

See, RIT is different than most universities, mainly because it utilizes the quarter semester system, or what others like to define as trimesters. Initially, when I first started at RIT back in 2007, it wasn't difficult getting accustomed to the system. However, after being a year and a half at Embry-Riddle on regular semester periods (16 weeks), coming back has definitely upset my routine. However, being that I am two weeks in, the adjustment is improving and I am starting to settle myself in with the school schedule.

With news relating to my education, not a whole lot has happened besides the usual going to class, completing homework assignments, and studying for examinations. Aside from my studies, I am wrapping up my entry project for this year’s NASA's 2011 Future Aircraft Design Competition. The 3D model I created this year has really surprised me in such a way that I am proud of the work and effort I put into it. Usually, I am my own worst critique, I tend to try to be a perfectionist. This time around, I did the work and am really enjoying the outcome :) As always, I will share the entirety of the project once the deadline approaches.

Lastly, I would like to share some news in regards to my internship/co-op search which I have been performing ever since I last talked to SpaceX. I have been applying to numerous positions, all of which involve avionics software development in order for me to gain "credible work experience" SpaceX was looking for. It seems like the search has finally paid off as I was asked to be interviewed by a company CEO! I was really pumped when I received that phone call! I just had the interview yesterday morning, was given a private tour, and then had a one on one conversation.

The whole interview was probably one of the most comfortable processes I have ever had. It was as if I knew the gentleman for a few years. I'm not sure why I was so comfortable, usually I am so anxious about these things that I feel like I might jump out of my skin. But for this case, it was the exact opposite of past events. I walked into that interview with a smile and came back out with an even bigger smile. I never felt so confident in my life. Now I am just waiting to hear word on my next meeting which will be with some of the employed engineers who work at the firm.

I'll be sure to keep an update with this, but for now, it is a waiting game.

Until then, I will see you out there!

Discovery's Final Voyage

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:46:00 +0000

STS-133 is Space Shuttle Discovery's final journey to the International Space Station and also its final venture into space. Lift-off is scheduled for 4:50 PM EST (Thursday, February 24, 2011) from launch pad 39A.

This mission has been long overdue after the numerous launch scrubs back in December of last year, ultimately leading to a two month postponement. However, the crew of six returns back to the launch site and mission controllers and the great NASA team are focusing in for tomorrow's launch attempt.

If you have yet to see the process of one of these launches, make sure to tune in to the above video at 12:00PM EST or head on over to Spaceflight Now for their LIVE video/chat session which will play out until the countdown clock hits t-minus zero. They do a great behind the scenes commentary showing everything that is happening on the launch site and it grants a lot of viewers a whole new perspective on what it takes to make missions like these a success.

Internship: NO-GO

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:13:00 +0000

I was enjoying my night life, designing and developing a website for someone as a freelance job, when my cell phone rang with the caller ID labeled: SpaceX. Boy did my body start to swell with adrenaline, the blood boiling, and my breathing became extremely heavy. The representative on the line told me SpaceX would not be extending their internship offer at this time.

* * *

They however did not frond upon my examination. In fact, the developers who reviewed my program mentioned I did quite well in respect to having no background experience involving the coding constructs needed in order to complete the task. What led them to the conclusion of not accepting me was the fact I stated I wished to work in the avionics department in the interview. Avionics is where software and computer engineers work rigorously on the guidance, telemetry, and other computers systems that help propel the rocket towards space. The department which I was being interviewed under was not affiliated with any of SpaceX's launch vehicles, instead it was a position which oversees all the computers of the entire company. The employer was telling me how Elon Musk has this vision to see all the computers to have an operating system that looks like its from some sci-fi movie.

Sure, its disappointing and it really put a dark cloud over my head, but it is not the end of the world. I was asked to learn and get myself involved with projects revolving around the coding languages the avionics department uses. By the fall, they would look forward in viewing an updated resume to reconsider me as a possible intern candidate. That is the news I was hoping to hear from them!

This "rejection" is now my ultimate motivation for a future acceptance. Until then, I will continue to learn and put forth my greatest commission, in the hopes to attain my greatest ambition.

Peculiar Dreams - SpaceX

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:22:00 +0000

Every night, I lay on my back, close my eyes, and say a prayer. Just when I am about to doze of for the night, I make one last wish to hear from my grandfather, to some how form a spiritual connection in my dreams. They say the ones whom you loved so dearly often try leaving signs, signs which are peculiar and out of the ordinary, and some say they often try to visit us in our dreams.

Sunday night, I had an unusual vision, almost life like, of my deceased grandfather. It was a brief moment with him, no conversation, but yet there he was, laying down in bed. It was like a relapse of when he was in the hospital. I could hear voices from all around saying "PaPa, its your grandson!" He lifted up his head, turned towards me with his eyes glimmering upon me, smiling with that famous Elvis-like smirk he always had. The next thing I know, I am wide awake, my eyes wandering about my bedroom ceiling. It all seemed to real, especially to the fact I can recall everything so vividly.

Later on Monday night, I was in the living room with my mother watching Two and a Half Men, (I love that show!) yet I forgot how the conversation came about. Anyways... I introduced to her my nightly vision that I had of grandpa and was interrupted abruptly during my recollection. My cell phone was ringing. I answered "Hello?", not knowing who was about to be on the other end... SpaceX just called me for an interview! Is it coincidence that I had this dream?A fluke? Maybe... but I tend to think it was something far greater than an accidental happening. Perhaps it is someone very special looking down upon me.

* * *

Space Exploration Technologies, the newly privatized industry owned by Elon Musk, which is on contract with NASA to put commercial crew and cargo into space, is considering me to be a candidate for their software team... words will not do justice for my feelings. When I first heard about SpaceX and the company, not once did I think I would ever be associated with all they have set out to do. I like to define the company as a NASA on steroids.

So, last night, I was given an interview, which upon conclusion, I was issued a programming assignment which must be completed by the end of the week. Sure, I realize this is no guarantee for me to intern at SpaceX, but it certainly feels great to be called upon, to be asked to see my work and computing abilities.

Work experience is probably the most difficult and most common things college students lack and they are usually turned down for an internship/job opportunity because of it, especially now with the economy as brittle as it is now. Over this past year, I have been given good reviews on my resume, some with follow-ups, but no interviews were initiated, mostly due to summer budget cuts and lay-offs. It is one of my biggest reasons for doing my own solo projects, because you just never know when they will come in handy. As for this project SpaceX has assigned to me, whether I succeed or not, the experience will get packed away in my arsenal and newer opportunities will be sure to follow suit.

Now if you will excuse me for now, I am about to crack open a monster and get at it. I will do my best to keep up to date as I journey onward for my quest to space. Until then folks, see you out there!

Goodbye ERAU & Hello RIT

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:42:00 +0000

Well after an emotional writeup in my last entry, I thought I would add another events that has or I should say is taking place. I am returning to the glorious brick city, aka, Rochester Institute of Technology! Yes, I am excited to be enrolling into the university once again. Embry-Riddle and the wonderful Florida atmosphere treated me well, but it just doesn't hold the same educational expectations that RIT offers. From an aerospace engineering standpoint, certainly Embry-Riddle does uphold those expectations, but not in the realm of computing and software engineering.

The experience and opportunity though has been nonetheless satisfying. I explored a route which I thought would lead me to my career dreams, but found my true strengths, which has always lied in computers and technology, will lead me to a career in the space industry as well. However, the colleagues I have met along the way will be irreplaceable. Sure, I will return to RIT and network with even more people, but my friends at Embry-Riddle had a deep fascination and passion for aircraft and spacecraft. It truly was a different world down there. Journeying and studying along side of them has been a great opportunity and it will be missed.

But... a new chapter unfolds. After writing my previous posting, it dawned upon me on how much I have blogged about space with merely no content about my progression, setbacks, and accomplishments. I would like to get back on track with the projects I am involved with and the things I do outside of school that are building my repertoire and aiding in the pursuit of my dreams and career goals. Perhaps this is a rejuvenation stage for me, to get me back on track. Which reminds me I will have to change my summary information on this site and it will remain static as I am locked in to RIT for the next two years.

More to say in the upcoming days, but until then, see you out there!

A Rude Awakening

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 02:15:00 +0000

Well, it sure has been a while since I blogged. What I have written in this post may seem very unorganized, which as well it should be as I have been typing up this post for some time now, adding things here and there as I pondered about the vents that have taken place this past week.

Sunday, January 9th, I woke up from bed, not knowing the devastating news I was about to receive. It was a very quiet morning, the sun shining, a light shower of snow, yet the air completely still. I went downstairs and walked into my kitchen where my sister sat at the table, eating her breakfast, and my mom, at the counter, was just starting to put a spread of butter on her toast. We began conversation, talking about the day's plans as we were getting ready to go to Rochester General to visit my grandfather. He became ill back in November with complications that started erupting soon after I head back for Florida in August.

As we conversed, I began to hear weeping sounds which were originating from our down stairs bathroom. I interrupted our talk and hushed my mother and my sister to question the sound. My mother listened and with a frown, said it was my father. My dad opened up the bathroom door and walked into the kitchen crying, yet managing to splurge out the words "Dad past away." For a moment, it felt like the world had stop revolving, everything was in slow motion. My dad began to release more tears, my sister's mouth dropped in shock, my mother went into absolute panic as my dad said my grandmother doesn't even know it yet. The doctors tried calling her house, but the line had been busy and were only to reach my dad and my uncle. Anxiety began to overwhelm and consume me. I can remember my mom bolting out our garage door telling my dad, "We have to go, we have to go get your mom and go up to Rochester now!"

My grandparents live right next to us as we built are home up and beyond their house. I recall following my mom outside, who began sloshing through the snow down towards my grandparents home. We knocked on my grandma's door and she answered with her telephone up to her ear. She was just beginning to hear the news for the first time...

* * *

I felt compelled to write about this day, yet, I didn't want to dwell on it. It is a fragile subject to write about, let alone to remember. My grandfather, whom which me and my sister called PaPa, was very special. I don't care to remember how he looked that day when we visited his hospital room, let alone the the previous weeks I had visited him. I only care to remember him up until the very day I left for Embry-Riddle. I only care to remember the good days...

He was the only grandpa I had growing up. I never had the pleasure to know my mom's dad as he passed away before I was born. My grandma always giggled when she mentioned I was his favorite grandson. I was his only grandson :o)

I will forever cherish the memories I have of you PaPa.
I love you and I will see you out there!

Winter Solstice Eclipse Time Lapse

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:56:00 +0000

Winter Solstice Total Lunar Eclipse

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:47:00 +0000

UPDATE #3 (2:04AM EST): One last site to add: Spacevidcast is providing a view of the eclipse on Ustream.TV. The quality in my opinion has a slight edge over the Star Gazer one. Only a few more minutes until totality... Enjoy!

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UPDATE #2 (1:40AM EST): Here is one more website I found hosting a live web cam of the lunar eclipse: Star Gazer. The previous site I posted seems to be flooded with viewers which is too bad because the video quality is descent. At home, I have clouds blanketing the entire sky and there are no signs of it clearing up.

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UPDATE #1 (12:23AM EST): The NASA webcast shows cloudy skies and it doesn't look like the weather is going to clear up anytime soon. You can visit the Columbus State University's Space Science Center web page which is a hosting a live web stream of the eclipse.

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Tonight will be extra special as a total lunar eclipse can be seen all across North America tonight. December 21, 2010 bring us the shortest day of the year, the first day of winter, and a lunar eclipse which hasn't happened on this date since the year 1638! You can visit Sky and Telescope's website for a complete listing of times at which you can observe this event.

I am hoping the weather in Rochester, NY stays clear, but for the area not to be shrouded by overcast skies is very unlikely. NASA is providing a live webcast, so for those who share in my frustration of not having a viewing opportunity because of the weather, or you are not located within North America, you can watch the eclipse online. You can view the live feed here from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. If you are fortunate enough to view the eclipse, I encourage you to stay up late, go outside, and enjoy the 72 minute totality event!

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:22:00 +0000

NROL-32 Postponed

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:39:00 +0000

With temperature readings scaling during fueling operations of the Delta IV Heavy, the launch team called off this evening's launch opportunity. As they assess the issue, the next scheduled launch attempt will remain unannounced.

Shhh... be very very quiet!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:41:00 +0000

The Air Force has a planned Delta IV Heavy launch this evening at 6:06PM EST. Its payload will consist of satellite that spans the length of a football field, capable of listening in on our enemies, or as Spaceflight Now announced, the whispers of evil. This mission's purpose is a matter of national security in order to preserve and keep our homeland safe... well, so "they" say. After all, the satellite will be in a geosynchronous orbit, some 22,000 miles above the earth's surface. This means it will be orbiting at the same rate our planet rotates, making the satellite's position static over a specific region of the Earth. As to exactly which location the satellite will be lurking over; will remain a mystery.

To find out more about the mission, visit the United Launch Alliance web page.

Jealousy of Discovery!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 21:10:00 +0000

I think Discovery is envious of Atlantis having the glory to be the final shuttle flight. Another hydrogen leak occurred today thus pushing the next launch attempt back to November 30 at 4:05AM EDT. Hopefully this issue will be resolved and the STS-133 crew will be on their way into space.

Space Shuttle Discovery's Final Voyage

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 01:44:00 +0000

STS-133, Discovery's final mission, has been delayed four times starting with a scrub on Monday's first scheduled launch attempt due to a helium leak. After engineers resolved the problem, an electronics glitch occurred in one of the shuttle's main engine controllers. This too was resolved but the launch attempt slated for today was postponed because of the weather. It seems Discovery does not want to make its final journey into space.

Despite all the delays, flight controllers are aiming for a launch attempt tomorrow at 3:04PM EDT. Discovery's payload will contain the Permanent Multipurpose Module, which will be packed with supplies, spare equipment, and other miscellaneous parts for the International Space Station.

Also on board will be Robonaut 2 (R2), a humanoid type robot built in cooperation by General Motors and NASA. R2-D2... I mean R2... will allow engineers to test the robot's critical systems/components and analyze their performance in the weightless environment. Furthermore, R2 will be a testbed for future robotic experiments and will be essential as we being to explore deep space.

To find out more about Discovery's final voyage, visit NASA's website for a full mission summary along with crew profiles and their biographies. Take not that two out of the six members are Embry-Riddle alumni!

Sunday Fun: Tranquility

noreply@blogger.com (Stephan Wlodarczyk) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:31:00 +0000

(Click for high resolution: 1600x900)

Did a little photoshoping this past Saturday night as I finished up some programming homework for school. I call this one Tranquility. Actually, I did a few projects this weekend. I suppose I was in the creative mood! I will share the others soon.