GCD is short for Game Changing Development, it 's our program.
Our goal is to discover new technologies to enable new missions or make the current missions
even better.
We look at high risk kind of payoff activities, and we look for changing the way a thing is
done or made.
And what does it take to get from the bench top or the lab to ready for orbit testing.
And that's our niche.
Game Changing takes technologies that have been worked on at the Centers or Universities
or by small businesses and takes them to the point where they could be infused into a NASA
mission.
...That looks a the lower level technology levels and takes on a little bit of riskier
portfolio in order to develop technologies.
I think Game Changing is not really afraid to fail but will go after the failure to actually
achieve something innovative and game changing.
We get scolded if we don't have failures, so I think the fact that we're allowed to
fail and learn from our mistakes is pretty unique.
We have a lot of technology first, and I mean no kidding this has never been done before.
One example is carbon nanotubes--we took that technology and made it into a nanowire and
broke a record 3 times on how fast the electrical conductivity went through that wire.
We were excited to be the first ones ever to put a 3D printer in space.
And that 3D printer is on Station right now, fully operational.
And then we came into what was interesting, we needed some tool, and it happened to be
a simple wrench and they designed CAD file down on Earth, and shot it up there, the astronaut
was able to push the button, and it printed that 3D wrench, and it was mission accomplished.
I mean that's the kind of thing that we're trying to do.
Another example would be Robonaut.
So we're really focusing on a task with Robonaut that can save through time.
Astronauts tend to be the best and brightest, and they're really best used to doing science.
We're looking at different technologies right now for space suits.
We have a carbon dioxide and moisture removal system that goes in the backpack of the suit
to remove in a regenerative way carbon dioxide and moisture from the suit.
It really simplifies the suit systems.
We're working on a glove.
We're working on pressure system--a pressure control system that allows more capability
for the suit.
So we're working to enable human exploration.
The neat thing about this job that I find and my favorite part is the spinoffs that
are associated with this.
Now taking this technology, and figure out how we can use it to improve life here on
Earth as well.
One of the projects that we're spinning off of HIAD technology is developing these fire
shelters for firefighters.
We're testing thermal protection materials that were originally developed for use on
an inflatable decelerator that will take humans to Mars or robots to another planet.
And we're testing that for use as a fire tent to protect our firefighters.
The current fire tents can't take a flame on a situation.
And this material will help protect them against that.
So we're really excited about that.
We're developing exoskeleton technology which is robotics technology and we're targeting
our application for crew health that can be used for exercise... and can also be used
to improve crew efficiency and performance on orbit.
But it also has trustful applications and benefits such as for example people with disabilities
to help them with their mobility as well.
The folks that develop these technologies are extremely passionate and enthusiastic
about what it is that they do.
And I think that's the the thing that I enjoy the most.
And I don't know what it is that we're developing in the broad portfolio.
But something that we're developing is going to be included in one of these NASA future
exploration missions whether it be to Mars or ... any other planetary body or even the
discovery of far-off planetary body and I think that's what's most exciting.
We're working some of the hardest problems.
And we're pulling the best talent in the entire world.
And you're trying to work together to work on these problems and you don't even know
if there is a solution.
But you're trying to see if you can get through that together.
And I think that's the coolest part of that...
I really enjoy the technology.
I guess I'm kind of a technology nerd in a sense that I think these things are exciting
to see, the developments and where we've come, what used to be on TV, yes a futuristic thing
and now it's every common day.
I think that's exciting to see.
And I'm looking forward to what the next generation will bring.
Game Changing is focusing on disruptive technologies that really will change the way we do something
or create a new mission, and it's difficult.
But if we accomplish it, it will be a new rocket, it will be a new propulsion system.
It will be a new life support system.
It will reduce the mass by half.
It will cut cost by two-thirds.
That captures what GCD is all about.