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| February 2008 |
| Billie Silvey |
| An Elder in Space |
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| I’m a member of the Culver Palms Church of Christ here in Los Angeles. It’s a relatively large congregation for an urban church in what’s essentially still a mission area. Culver Palms incorporates a remarkably talented and diverse group of people. Regular readers of this website have been introduced to some of them. This month’s topic, together with the nearby aerospace industry and UCLA, brought a wealth of resources. Two of our seven elders have a special interest in space. Fred Ricker, from the Space Technology Sector of Northrop/Grumman, takes a scientific, technological approach, while Ron Lau, a UCLA graduate in mathematics, who has the rather esoteric hobby of studying astrophysics, takes a mathematical, theoretical approach. Each is married and has two children, a boy and a girl. Both bring vital talents to the church. Fred applied his engineering skills to guiding the construction of our building, and Ron conceived and guides our very successful outreach ministry to Chinese immigrants, especially students at UCLA. I asked Fred the following questions: Q: What is your occupation or interest relative to Space? A: My occupation is in the field of unmanned space systems. I have received a formal education in electrical engineering. I work for the Space Technology sector of Northrop Grumman. During my 30+ years there, I have worked on NASA space systems (such as the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, Earth Observation System, and the James Webb Space Telescope) and military space systems (such as Military Strategic and Tactical Relay satellite system, Advance Extremely High Frequency satellite system, Defense Support Program, Strategic Tracking and Surveillance System), NOAA space systems (National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, Geosynchronous Operational Environmental Satellite system), and others. All of these are satellite-based systems with corresponding ground-based facilities for command and control. Some of these systems are communications satellite systems. Some of them have sensors for making scientific and/or surveillance observations; these do additional computational processing of the collected mission data. Q: How did you get involved in that effort? A: My interest in Space goes back to my youth (grade school and middle school), when I read science fiction novels and watched space programs on TV and in the movie theaters. The primary motivator for my selection of an occupation in space was the movie “2001 A Space Odyssey” by Stanley Kubrick. I was captivated by the portrayal of future technology and its capabilities. Q: What are some developments that you’ve witnessed in the field? A: Some developments I have witnessed in the field are: the introduction of sophisticated computers to satellites which can be reprogrammed from the ground, greatly improved satellite autonomy (less reliance on around-the-clock ground control), the insertion of technology improvements that give satellite systems much improved capabilities in communications and observation sensitivity, the improved longevity of spacecraft from a few years of uninterrupted service in the early 1960s to over 15 years of uninterrupted service today, and the growth in size and mass of unmanned spacecraft by factors of 100 and more. I have also witnessed the massive growth in the number of orbiting space objects, making it necessary for other systems to track these objects and avoid collisions with them. I have witnessed the use of space for commercial applications as well as government applications. I have witnessed the global use of space by many countries; many are capable of building space systems and even more have purchased space systems. And I have witnessed the increase in knowledge and understanding of our universe and the earth with the help of the “great observatory” spacecraft built for NASA, and the environmental sensing spacecraft that provide weather forecast data, space environment measurements, and long-term climatic measurements. Q: What directions do you see the field going? A: I see the field continuing to expand, in terms of the range of space system capability from simple / inexpensive to complex / expensive. There will be more international players as space suppliers, and there will be continued attempts to expand the use of space for commercial applications. And while space has been a somewhat safe environment in the past, safe from external threats that could adversely affect a satellite’s mission or even destroy it, there will be more serious considerations given and actions taken to protect some satellite systems from such threats. Q: How does your interest in Space impact your faith, your relationship with God, and your relationship with others (as an elder in the church)? A: My interest in Space has given me a healthy respect for nature, from the enormity of the observable cosmos to the barely-detectable subatomic particles. I have been amazed by the order of things in this universe. I will continue to enjoy my remaining time on this earth attempting to understand God’s creation. I think of God when I learn about new scientific discoveries, and I think about the things I know in nature when I study the Bible. But my interests go beyond science and engineering. I am very interested in the story of God and mankind; how God has established a relationship with us, given us free will, and continues to be patient with us as we continually stumble and fall. I am often puzzled and confused by parts of this story, and I still find it hard to comprehend all aspects of the Trinity. While these sound like abstract interests, I do have a faith that is based on my understanding of God’s Word, and I do act on my faith. My work in the area of Space brings me in contact with a diverse group of people, and I am mindful to practice my Christian behaviors at all times. When presented with an opportunity to share my admiration for God’s creation and His ways, I will respond accordingly. I also think my interest in Space has motivated me to develop my gifts for organizing, planning and problem-solving. I apply these gifts to the work I do as an elder. It is my prayer that these gifts are beneficial to the work of the congregation at Culver Palms. Fred lives with his wife of 25 years, Jenny, and his son Collin who is a Junior in high school. His daughter, Kelsey, is attending her freshman year at Seattle Pacific University. In addition to working for Northrop Grumman Space Technology in Redondo Beach, Fred is also an elder at the Culver Palms Church of Christ, and a Regent of Pepperdine University. |
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