NSBE - Convention 2020 - 15

moon by 2024. The later Block 1B will
have a payload capacity of 105 metric tons
and will be used for the Artemis 4 mission
to the moon. The 95- and 105-metric
ton configurations will have 8.8 million
pounds of thrust, equal to the horsepower
produced in 160,000 Corvette engines, or
13,400 locomotive engines.
The Block 2 configuration - with a
130-metric ton payload capacity - will
be the workhorse vehicle to send cargo
to the moon, Mars and other deep space
destinations. The 130-metric ton configuration will have 11.9 million pounds
of thrust, equal to the horsepower of
208,000 Corvette engines or 17,400
locomotive engines.
"The best part about SLS is that it's
evolvable. So no matter the mission, SLS
will be able to get the job done," says
Myron. "Whether it's going to the moon,
Mars or to an asteroid, SLS is the only
current rocket in production able to send
humans to these destinations and send
payloads much farther than any other
rocket on the market."

BORN TO EXPLORE
But why is space exploration, particularly a mission to Mars, important to the
United States?
"One trait that has held in the human
race for many centuries is the desire to
explore and discover the unknown," says
Tiera. "Space exploration gives us that
opportunity."
"It's in our DNA as humans to
explore," adds Myron. "The invention of global satellite positioning, the
pacemaker and so much more were all
discovered due to space applications
and discovery of the world's unknown.
The (number) of technological benefits
we will gain from studying other planets
cannot be truly understood until we get
there. I believe going to Mars will make
civilization better due to the technology
we will uncover during this time, and all
of the other great things that come from
exploration in general."
For both of the Fletchers, membership in NSBE was a cornerstone of their
career choices, giving them an opportunity as aspiring engineers in college
to surround themselves with students
who "looked like me and thought
like me," says Myron, especially since
www.nsbe.org

African-American representation in
aerospace engineering is very low.
"For students looking to follow my
path, I urge you to value organizations
like NSBE and receive the valuable
mentorship and direction you can gain
from people who look like you and share
similar experiences and backgrounds,"
says Tiera.

"There is no limit to where you can
go or what you can do, except the limits
you place on yourself," adds Myron.
"Don't just shoot for the stars. Shoot past
them." ■
Kevin M. Briscoe is a writer based in St.
Augustine, Florida, and a former editor of
NSBE Magazine.

M I T L I N C O L N L A B O R AT O R Y

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TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL SECURITY
At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, we develop one-of-a-kind systems that answer
national needs. Transferring data faster than ever between Earth and space,
helping emergency workers respond to disasters, developing the most advanced
imagers for tracking objects in orbit, creating algorithms that find patterns in big
data: these are our kinds of challenges. Our reward is getting to solve the next
hard problem facing the nation and world.
Behind every Laboratory solution are people with a vision and the technical
expertise to turn concepts into field-worthy prototypes. Our world-class facilities
support this transformation. We're home to the government's most advanced
microelectronics foundry, a flight facility with a Boeing 707 for testing airborne
systems, and one of the world's most immersive virtual reality labs. The breadth
of our research inspires collaboration and creativity - and has led to 58 R&D 100
Awards earned since 2010 for technological innovation.
Innovation takes looking at a problem from every angle. What if the only
perspective still missing is yours? Search jobs at www.ll.mit.edu/careers
All positions are located in Lexington, MA.
Advanced Imaging

Disaster Response

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Ground, Space,
and Undersea
Communications

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Science

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and Engineering

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MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will
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NSBE MAGAZINE * CONVENTION 2020

* 15

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NSBE - Convention 2020

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