Mission Specialist Sally Anderson – NASA Astronaut#
Age (2045): 33
Mission Role: Mission Specialist (MS) – Cryogenic Fuel Systems Operations (Erebus 2)
Education
- B.S. Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- M.S. Chemical Engineering, Stanford University (focus on thermodynamics & cryogenics)
- Ph.D. (in progress), Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder – research under Dr. Einhaus on advanced cryogenic propellant storage and transfer technologies
Flight & Space Experience
- First spaceflight: Erebus 2, International Space Station (ISS) – scheduled
- Ground support: Provided pre‑flight analysis, hardware qualification, and real‑time troubleshooting for three prior ISS expeditions in the Cryogenic Propulsion Laboratory at Johnson Space Center
- Certified NASA Class II Space Physical
Qualifications & Expertise
- NASA Mission Specialist Training Pipeline – specialization in cryogenic fluid dynamics, propellant handling, and in‑orbit testing
- Certified Cryogenic Systems Engineer – U.S. Department of Energy
- Advanced Training: Zero‑gravity fluid management, high‑pressure valve operations, and safety protocols for liquid hydrogen/oxygen handling
- Technical Skills: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of cryogenic flow, thermal insulation design, and real‑time telemetry diagnostics
Mission Focus – Erebus 2
- Primary responsibility: Support Dr. Einhaus in the storage, transfer, and testing of the ISS’s cryogenic fuel systems and associated fuels
- Key tasks: Perform in‑orbit propellant transfer demonstrations, validate next‑generation cryogenic tank insulation, and execute on‑board diagnostics of fuel line integrity
- Operational role: Coordinate ground‑to‑orbit data links for real‑time analysis, lead contingency procedures for cryogenic anomalies, and document performance metrics for future deep‑space propulsion missions
Personal Note
Sally’s fascination with space began watching the Apollo launches with her grandfather, a retired Navy pilot. That early inspiration evolved into a lifelong passion for the chemistry of propulsion. Outside the lab, she enjoys photographing the interplay of light and shadow in industrial settings—a hobby that now translates into capturing the elegant vapor clouds of cryogenic boil‑off aboard the ISS.
