Have you ever watched a rocket launch and wished you could work for NASA, but aren't quite astronaut material? Are you interested in space travel but not rocket science? Do you have a good sense of smell? If the your answer to any of these questions was yes then there could be a job for you at NASA.
Established in 1958, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in response to the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA has been responsible for some of the major advancements in human history. NASA grew from the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, NACO, which researched flight technology for more than 40 years.From landing on the moon, to conducting scientific research, the government agency was created to oversee U.S. exploration and aeronautics research.
Under President John F. Kennedy's leadership, NASA began research for its Mercury and Gemini Projects, created to send men to the moon. On July 20,1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became two of the first men to ever accomplish this feat. Soon after this, NASA began working on gaining more access to space and in 1981 the first space shuttle was launched. Before being retired in 2011, the space shuttle competed 130 successful missions and established a permanent U.S presence in space.
With the introduction of the Mars Pathfinder in 1997, NASA began exploring Mars to determine if there was life there. Since its beginning, NASA has continued conducting research that has lead to many improvements on Earth. So, how does having a good sense of smell fit in this narrative?
Meet NASA's professional smeller, George Aldrich. Aldrich, who has worked for NASA for almost 40 years smells things before they go up into space. Sounds made up right? Actually, this is a logical job. In space there is no oxygen, so any smells that are released in space will probably never dissipate.
Gizmodo reports that, "Smells don't get quite aired out in space as they do back home." Odors can linger in space for years, so naturally NASA keeps a watch on any odors entering space.
According to the Telegraph, Aldrich's official title is staff sniffer and he has worked for NASA for 38 years. Isn't this the coolest job?
Recently, the Science Channel profiled Aldrich while doing his job. In the video, Aldrich can be seen smelling everyday objects like books, hats and plastic bags.
Aldrich says, "I try to keep my sense of smell in tune so I play games with odors, where other people might smell something and move one."
On why this is an important job, Aldrich remarks, "What really makes me important to NASA is that I actually use my sense of smell to help protect the astronauts from obnoxious odors in space."
Using your nose could land you a job with NASA, who knew?
