Yesterday at work we had a huge event that involved Boeing Executives, NASA Executives and management along with multiple sites across the nation watching live via WebEx and live video stream.  It was my job to configure the system in our Leadership Center to talk live with the Astronauts on the Space Station.  The requirements was not only the live downlink, but to push out live streaming HD video.  I had to design the setup with the equipment I had on hand and develop a technique to perform two flawless video productions that went live within a 20-minute window. 

It took me a couple of weeks to design a configuration and test it with Mission Control in Houston.  During the first dry run, all went perfectly.  After the dry run, I had a short conference call with the TV Producers at Johnson Space Center who wanted to learn how I set our system up to perform two different paths, and incoming and outgoing HD Video with audio.  After I described my idea and how I configured it, one of the Producers said, “….that is brilliant.”    I went home that day and described to Jennifer what they said.  I told her that as a contractor we rarely get noticed or awarded on unique achievements but having NASA tell me my plan was ‘brilliant’ was pure icing on the cake for me. 

I started the day feeling confident since we had two successful dry runs with NASA.  I had everything planned and documented to each wire connection, every software configuration and hardware setup.  I mounted a 4k camera to a ENG (electronic news gathering) tripod.  I had facilities configure the room setup so that it was an intimate seating so that the Astronauts could see more people than if we had the seats set up in a theater setup.  I started the software connections and tested as best I could without connecting to Mission Control.  All the tests worked as planned.  About an hour before the event, I had the room and system ready.  What could go wrong?  All I had to do was wait for the right time to see that NASA connected.  The appointed time came and went.  About ten minutes after the planned connection time, I got a phone call from the TV Producer at NASA.  A call that was also on the plan.  They said that they could not connect to us for some reason.  We tried several different things but no joy.  It got down to the last option to try, I had to create a new WebEx and send it to them. My mind raced on the ramifications of doing that.  How will this affect the downstream where the live passive connection and video streaming work? By this time the room was filling up with VIPs from NASA and Boeing—no pressure as I felt them watching me trying to remain confident and work the problem.  I got the new WebEx connection configured and set up.  After a few minutes, I saw NASA connect.  Great!  It is working.  I walked over to the microphone and did a 10 count.  The audio was perfect in the room.  The TV producer told me on the phone that they had no audio.  The clock was ticking down to go live.  After many tries and reconfiguring the audio send I finally found the right setup where they now have good clean audio and video.  What happened was when I had to drop the original WebEx, which had reset the audio configuration on the laptop I was using.  All was good to go!  Now to wait for the Space Station to come into range for the downlink comms.

From the people’s perspective, all went perfectly.  From my perspective, it was almost out of control like a row of dominos.  As I worked the problem, I silently prayed that I needed help.  At that point, things started to work.  Going into the event yesterday I was confident.  I had two successful dry runs and the system tested perfectly that morning.  The previous downlink about a year ago I had two dry runs with NASA that failed.  I did not know if it would work until the Space Station connected. All went perfectly that time.  Yesterday was the opposite; two good dry runs but the real-time connection was more of a challenge. 

When I worked for the Associated Press as an uplink operator, I configured and connected to every continent in the world except Antarctica.  Now I can add that I have connected with the International Space Station twice.   Uplink and downlink broadcast and HD audio/video is a team effort.  You must coordinate the path with several other sites and people.  Connecting with the Space Station is the same effort.  Both times I give God the glory for helping me work this successfully.

I am wiped out today, both physically and mentally.  To come off a high-stress time like yesterday takes a toll on me. I experienced the same when I worked Live TV earlier in my career but when I was younger, I shook it off faster.   Maybe it is time to retire soon.  I am grateful for what I have been able to do.