Alyssa Yockey: Guiding Astronauts at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory
NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston is home to some of the brightest minds and most exciting jobs in space exploration. Alyssa Yockey stands out as the flight lead at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL), a critical training ground for astronauts preparing for missions on the International Space Station. Every day, Alyssa coordinates complex underwater simulations, ensuring that astronauts are ready for the challenges of microgravity—without even leaving Earth.
Supporting the ISS from the Ground Up
The NBL is not your average swimming pool; it’s a massive facility where astronauts train for spacewalks and practice repairs on life-size models of the space station. As flight lead, Alyssa plays a crucial role in preparing crews for the unexpected challenges of space. Her leadership ensures safety, precision, and confidence—qualities you definitely want when you’re floating 250 miles above Earth! It’s inspiring to see someone turn a passion for space into such a hands-on, impactful career. Who knew that being a pool supervisor could mean training tomorrow’s space heroes?
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NASA: Meet Alyssa Yockey, Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory Flight Lead