United States
Mr. Trent Smith serves as a research advisor for Space Plant Biology and Space Crop Production. Previously, he worked for the KSC Technology Transfer Program to ensure that innovations developed for aeronautics and space exploration were made broadly available to the public. He was the NASA Project Manager for NASA's on-orbit gardens on ISS, Veggie. Smith worked for the ISS Program at Kennedy Space Center with the goal of maximizing ISS science in the orbiting laboratory. He transitioned from the Commercial Crew Program where he was working to get NASA astronauts back into space on U.S. led space systems. Prior to that he was a NASA Detailee and Technical Adviser to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Previous to his experience on Capitol Hill, Mr. Smith earned valuable operations and project management experience with Ares I-X and Space Shuttle retirement activities. He was the Vehicle Processing Engineer for Ares I-X providing technical and operational leadership for the Launch Vehicle Processing Directorate. After that he was named the Transition Project Lead for key KSC facilities for the Transition and Retirement of the Space Shuttle Program. He led the team that decommissioned and retired MLP1 as well as safed and transferred Pad B to the Constellation Program while still safely launching Shuttles from Pad A. Mr. Smith started working for NASA as a polymer chemist and received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in chemistry from Florida Institute of Technology. Smith has received several awards during his 20-year career at NASA, including a Spaceflight Awareness Award, a KSC Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Leadership, two NASA Superior Accomplishment Awards for Leadership, R&D100 Award, NASA’s Commercial Invention of the Year Award, Silver Achievement Medal, Exceptional Service Medal, and more than 18 Space Act Awards for Inventions and Innovations. Smith also has 10 patents granted or pending, and has authored two book chapters and more than 18 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and government reports. Specialties: Family IT support and teen transport - my 14 and 17 year old teens keep me busy. ORCID - 0000-0002-0474-9962 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0474-9962
The Technology Transfer Office at KSC ensures that innovations developed for aeronautics and space exploration are made broadly available to the public – boosting the U.S. economy and maximizing the return on the nation’s investment in NASA. https://technology-ksc.ndc.nasa.gov/
Project Manager for Veggie (2 gardens on-orbit) Water Delivery Technologies - Space Agriculture Technologist for Space Agriculture Veggie facility on ISS Veg-01 (red romaine lettuce back from orbit) (second crop grown and 1/2 eaten on 8/10/15 other half back from orbit for science analysis) (zinnias started 11/16/15 leading to Scott Kelly gardening on his own, flowers back from orbit) Veg-03 (A, B, C) (Chinese Cabbage, 'Tokyo Bekana' (1st crop 1/2 eaten, 1/2 due back on SpX11), last crop ready) and Red Romaine (multiple harvests - 1/2 eaten, 1/2 due back on SpX11) https://twitter.com/astro_kimbrough/status/791388192612024321 APEX-03-01 (plant specimens back from orbit) - Dr. Blancaflor, Noble Foundation APEX-03-02 (plant specimens back from orbit) - Dr. Ferl, University of Florida APEX-04 (plant specimens back from orbit) - Dr. Paul, University of Florida APEX-05 (plant specimens back from orbit) - Dr. Gilroy, University of Wisconsin APEX-06 (plant specimens back from orbit) - Dr. Masson, University of Wisconsin Veg-03 (D, E, F) - (all complete) Veg-PONDS - (Red Romaine) Veg-03-G - Red Russian Kale and Extra Dwarf Pak Choy - SpX15 Veg-03 H - Wasabi Mustard and Dragoon Lettuce - SpX15 Veg-03 I - mixed salad -- RRK, Pak, Wasabi, Dragoon, and Red Romaine - SpX15 Veg-04 (Mizuna light treatment-- launching 2018) - Dr. Massa, NASA Veg-05 (Dwarf tomato light treatment-- launching 2019) - Dr. Massa, NASA ...and other duties as assigned
Mr. Smith worked for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation supporting senators and senior policy staff members with document preparation, edits, and review for accuracy. He prepared, reviewed, and edited background materials, including hearing memorandums to frame policy and technical issues. He served as technical advisor and provided guidance on agency structure and operations. He evaluated space policy, budgets, and other items and matter to identify issues and decisions that impacted the United States, NASA, space issues, and associated laws.
Transition Project Lead for key KSC facilities. Integrate all operations and technical issues. Oversee and manage the business process. Manage Space Shuttle Spare Process. Manage property transfer process. Manage the development, coordination and delivery of documentation and data pack. Manage engineering change process. Coordinate and manage requirements changes, technical plan changes, changes to the spare parts plan and present changes to the SSP Configuration Control Board. Review and approve contracts. Ensure contractors fulfill their duties and that all requirements are met. Oversee environmental assessments and activities. Ensure clear communications up, down, and lateral.
Provided technical and operational leadership for assembly, integration, and testing of 327′ tall Ares I-X test rocket. Oversaw and managed operational aspects ensuring that engineering instructions, parts, and labor were integrated and scheduled to maximize efficiency. Fast tracked engineering reviews, solutions, and actions to correct discrepancies and problems. Oversaw closeout activities associated with both flight and ground computer systems, telemetry, guidance and flight control systems, fluid/mechanical systems, and propellant handling, storage and loading systems. Implemented space vehicle operational requirements and processing flows to meet extremely demanding timelines and engineering challenges. Coordinated and approved Ares I-X press events and executive tours. Local, national, and international press as well as a Science Channel television show.
10 Patents granted or pending. 2 book chapters. More than 18 peer reviewed published scientific journal articles and government reports. 21 Space Act Awards for Inventions and Innovations 2006-2011 Organic and inorganic synthesis of polymer materials and composites including nanocomposites. Polymer processing techniques. Materials design and architectures for advanced spacecraft. Self-diagnosing, damage detection wire systems. Fire chemistry, fire retardant additives, and polymers. Electrostatic dissipative materials and inherently conductive polymers. Radiation shielding materials. Icephobic coatings and materials. Cryogenic and low temperature materials. Foam systems and cellular solids. Aerogel materials. Materials and spacecraft component failure investigation. Standard and specialized test methods associated with materials and material phenomena.