Irene Chan: Planning NASA Space Flights

Irene Chan: Planning NASA Space Flights

From Beers with Engineers by Bert Uschold

April 14, 2026 · 1h 2m · Episode 61

About this episode

Irene Chan discusses her role in planning NASA space flights and her journey in engineering.

#61 – Irene Chan: Planning NASA Space Flights Irene is a flight planning engineer at a NASA supplier who drinks stout. Teachers encouraged her to try a career in math. Fear of gangs in East LA was real. Spent a lot of time at libraries as a child Both Irene and Bert read the encyclopedia for fun. “Stand and Deliver” great movie and true story Initially she struggled with calculus and physics in college. Partially due to involvement in student engineering organizations, which she recommends. Her stubbornness let her persevere. She struggled in basic classes but excelled in high level ones. Flight planning priorities are the humans, the vehicle, and then the mission. Weather is main reason for scrubbing a flight. The issue is less the flight but in the event a rescue is needed. Is an ion engine an ion motor? Sometimes the acronym comes first and then the acronym. She wants NASA to resume support of STEM programs. Do astronauts train on how to go to the bathroom in space? Probably. A brief visit from Irene’s daughter, who likes magna-tiles and marble run. Bert’s Company – www.dexterityeng.com Merchandise - www.beerswithengineers.shop French onion soup recipe - French onion soup.pdf…

People in this episode

Host: Bert Uschold

Guest: Irene Chan

Topics covered

  • NASA
  • flight planning
  • STEM education
  • engineering careers
  • space exploration

Keywords

  • NASA
  • flight planning
  • STEM
  • engineering
  • space
  • calculus
  • physics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NASA, Dexterity

Products: French onion soup

Books & works: Stand and Deliver

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