Eagle Robotics is a diverse group of students, grades 3-12, with a unified desire to develop their God-given talents and abilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, while honoring Him with a balance of professionalism, service, and infectious joviality.
We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy but because they are hard
because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills
because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept
one we are unwilling to postpone,
and one we intend to win.
NASA Astronaut provides support to Eagle Robotics for FIRST Launch 2018-2019
NASA ASTRONAUT
SUSAN KILRAIN (COMMANDER, USN, RET.) Shuttle Missions STS-83 (April 4-8, 1997) and STS-94 (July 1-17, 1997) 
|
To All Involved in Eagle Robotics:
July 4th, 1997 I was onboard the Space Shuttle Columbia watching history unfold. The Pathfinder Spacecraft was landing on the surface of Mars. From the flight deck of Columbia, the seven of us gathered around the monitor to watch Sojourner Rover translate the surface of Mars and send back video to Earth and then to us in low Earth orbit. How magical that day was for me. People have often argued the importance of rovers versus manned space flight. There is definitely a special purpose for both. Rovers are a vital tool in space exploration. They are relatively inexpensive to build and launch, they can go places that are not hospitable to humans, and they require no life support systems. With the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon, FIRST has named this season “FIRST Launch 2019”. It is my honor to offer you all support in your endeavors as you kick off the 2018-2019 season. I hope to encourage all of you to dig deep and demonstrate your dependability, initiative, and teamwork skills. Each and every team member is valuable to the overall success of the team. Some of you will break out as leaders, others as followers, but all are important. The space shuttle would have never left the Earth’s surface without a huge team of thousands making the decisions and getting the work done. As a shuttle pilot, I was a minor part of Columbia’s success. I will be following your progress this year and hope to participate from afar when possible. Best of luck to FIRST Lego League Jr, FIRST Lego League, and FIRST Tech Challenge. It only takes “one small step” to result in a “giant leap for all mankind”. Susan Kilrain |
PERSONAL DATA: Born October, 24, 1961, in Augusta, Georgia. Married to Colin James Kilrain of Braintree, Massachusetts. She enjoys triathlons, martial arts, and playing the piano. Her parents, Joe and Sue Still, reside in Martinez, Georgia. Colin’s mother, Mrs. Terry Kilrain, resides in Braintree, Massachusetts.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Walnut Hill High School, Natick, Massachusetts, in 1979. Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, 1985.
ORGANIZATIONS: Association of Naval Aviation. Association of Space Explorers. The Georgia Tech Foundation.
SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Naval Graduate of Aviation Officer Candidate School; Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Class 103; Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, NASA Space Flight Medals (2), and the National Defense Service Medal. Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. Daughter of the American Revolution, Good Scout Award, 1997.
EXPERIENCE: After graduating from undergraduate school, Susan worked as a Wind Tunnel Project Officer for Lockheed Corporation in Marietta, Georgia and earned her graduate degree. She was commissioned in 1985 and designated a naval aviator in 1987. Susan was selected to be a flight instructor in the TA-4J Skyhawk. She later flew EA-6A Electric Intruders for Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 in Key West, Florida. After completing Test Pilot School, she reported to Fighter Squadron 101 in Virginia Beach, Virginia for F-14 Tomcat training. She has logged over 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Susan reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. Following a year of training, she worked technical issues for the Vehicle Systems and Operations Branch of the Astronaut Office. She also served as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in mission control during launch and entry for numerous missions. A veteran of two space flights, she has logged over 471 hours in space. She flew as pilot on STS-83 (April 4-8, 1997) and STS-94 (July 1-17, 1997). She most recently was the Legislative Specialist for Shuttle for the Office of Legislative Affairs at NASA Headquarters, Washington D.C. Susan retired from the Astronaut Office in December 2002 and from the Navy in June 2005.
SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: Her first mission, STS-83 (April 4-8, 1997), was cut short because of problems with one of the Shuttle’s three fuel cell power generation units. Mission duration was 95 hours and 12 minutes, traveling 1.5 million miles in 63 orbits of the Earth.
STS-94 (July 1-17, 1997) was a re-flight of the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) Spacelab mission, and focused on materials and combustion science research in microgravity. Mission duration was 376 hours and 45 minutes, traveling 6.3 million miles in 251 orbits of the Earth
EDUCATION: Graduated from Walnut Hill High School, Natick, Massachusetts, in 1979. Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, 1985.
ORGANIZATIONS: Association of Naval Aviation. Association of Space Explorers. The Georgia Tech Foundation.
SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Naval Graduate of Aviation Officer Candidate School; Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Class 103; Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, NASA Space Flight Medals (2), and the National Defense Service Medal. Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. Daughter of the American Revolution, Good Scout Award, 1997.
EXPERIENCE: After graduating from undergraduate school, Susan worked as a Wind Tunnel Project Officer for Lockheed Corporation in Marietta, Georgia and earned her graduate degree. She was commissioned in 1985 and designated a naval aviator in 1987. Susan was selected to be a flight instructor in the TA-4J Skyhawk. She later flew EA-6A Electric Intruders for Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 in Key West, Florida. After completing Test Pilot School, she reported to Fighter Squadron 101 in Virginia Beach, Virginia for F-14 Tomcat training. She has logged over 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Susan reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. Following a year of training, she worked technical issues for the Vehicle Systems and Operations Branch of the Astronaut Office. She also served as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in mission control during launch and entry for numerous missions. A veteran of two space flights, she has logged over 471 hours in space. She flew as pilot on STS-83 (April 4-8, 1997) and STS-94 (July 1-17, 1997). She most recently was the Legislative Specialist for Shuttle for the Office of Legislative Affairs at NASA Headquarters, Washington D.C. Susan retired from the Astronaut Office in December 2002 and from the Navy in June 2005.
SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: Her first mission, STS-83 (April 4-8, 1997), was cut short because of problems with one of the Shuttle’s three fuel cell power generation units. Mission duration was 95 hours and 12 minutes, traveling 1.5 million miles in 63 orbits of the Earth.
STS-94 (July 1-17, 1997) was a re-flight of the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) Spacelab mission, and focused on materials and combustion science research in microgravity. Mission duration was 376 hours and 45 minutes, traveling 6.3 million miles in 251 orbits of the Earth
FAQ#1: What is FIRST®?
Vertical Divider
|
|
FAQ#2: What is the FIRST® progression?
- FIRST® provides a progression of four international, after-school programs for K-12: the FIRST® Robotics Competition for Grades 9-12 (ages 14 to 18); the FIRST ® Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12 (ages 12 to 18); the FIRST® LEGO® League for Grades 4-8 (ages 9 to 16; ages vary by country); and the FIRST ® LEGO® League Jr. for Grades K-4 (ages 6 to 10). FIRST® also operates a research, development, and training facility called FIRST Place™ at its headquarters in New Hampshire.
- Eagle Robotics competes in FIRST ® LEGO® League Jr., FIRST® LEGO® League, and FIRST ® Tech Challenge. Click any of these to explore!
FAQ#3: What is Christian about Engineering?
- The ability to design and build is a gift from God. Eagle Robotics seeks to honor that truth while building skill and character - to develop exceptional capability while bringing it into service of the God who makes it possible. Read more about our core values here.
