Imagine growing up in a place where the night sky was a backdrop to dreams, but never quite within reach. That’s how Hsiao Smith felt, growing up in Malaysia and Singapore, worlds away from the epicenter of space exploration. Yet, against the odds, she became a key figure at NASA, where she works among the forces shaping the cosmos.
Moving to Maryland near NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center changed everything for Hsiao. Encouraged by a high school counselor who saw her potential in math and science, she embarked on a journey that would redefine her life’s path. A summer internship paved her way to a thriving 35-year career in engineering at NASA, sparking a passion she never knew she had.
A Leap into the Stars
In Malaysia and Singapore, Hsiao Smith’s ambitions felt as distant as the stars. Yet, a move to Maryland opened doors she never imagined. Her high school counselor recognized her talent and encouraged her to seize a junior fellowship at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. This opportunity was a stepping stone to a career that would span over three decades and revolutionize her world.
Stepping into Goddard
Hsiao’s introduction to Goddard was through an internship focused on flight dynamics, which instantly captivated her. The work was intricate, yet it laid the groundwork for her future endeavors. During this time, she discovered a love for hands-on projects, leading her to the power branch where she began crafting high-voltage power supplies destined for the stars.
Transitioning from intern to full-time engineer, Hsiao earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland followed by a master’s in engineering management. This formal education complemented her on-the-job learning, allowing her to blend theory with practice effortlessly.
Creating Power Systems
After gaining invaluable experience, Hsiao moved to develop power systems for spacecraft. Her first major project, the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE), taught her the ropes of seeing a project from conception to launch.
For over a decade, Hsiao contributed to the iconic Hubble Space Telescope, initially as the power systems manager. Her leadership ensured the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph’s success and made servicing missions possible, ultimately delivering new instruments and collaborating with astronauts in space.
A New Frontier: Optical Communications
Shifting gears, Hsiao managed the Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration. Joining forces with MIT/Lincoln Lab, she spearheaded NASA’s pioneering optical communication tech using lasers.
As the deputy program manager for JPSS, Hsiao architected satellite designs, meticulously crafting cost and schedule plans for future missions.
In her role at the Satellite Servicing Projects Division, she helped establish robotic servicing technologies, showcasing how robots could fuel and repair spacecraft.
Current Endeavors
Now, Hsiao serves as the deputy observatory manager for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. She is engaged in the assembly and testing of its complex systems, ensuring the harmony of its myriad components.
Hsiao’s work involves intricate coordination between system parts, pushing boundaries of what an observatory can achieve on a cosmic scale.
Advice to the Next Generation
Throughout her career, Hsiao has been driven by problem-solving and innovation. She finds excitement in daily challenges and ensures her team is equipped to overcome them.
HSiao encourages budding engineers to seek mentorship and seize every opportunity. It’s her mentors’ guidance that helped her carve a niche in her dream job.
“All experiences start with a step outside your comfort zone,” Hsiao affirms. ‘ One choice can redefine your future.’
From the Clean Room to the Stars
In Goddard’s expansive clean room, Hsiao feels most at home, navigating between the Roman Space Telescope’s subsystems. It’s this environment where her problem-solving skills shine brightest, uniting hardware for the next chapter of space exploration.
Her journey has been one of continuous learning, uniting science and imagination like never before.
The Future of Space Engineering
Hsiao’s vision is a future where space technology continually advances, driven by curiosity and innovation. Her career embodies this vision, affirming that with dedication, the sky is not the limit but the launchpad to infinite possibilities.
Her experiences at NASA underscore a singular truth — that every problem solved today lights the path for tomorrow’s explorations. For Hsiao, each day at NASA is another opportunity to kindle the dreams of every new engineer.
The Legacy Continues
As she continues her work at NASA, Hsiao Smith’s legacy inspires all aspiring engineers to reach for the stars. Her story proves that starting from humble beginnings, one can engineer dreams into reality. It’s a testament to the power of vision, mentorship, and dedication.
Hsiao Smith’s journey from a dreamer to a deputy observatory manager at NASA is nothing short of inspirational. Her story is a beacon, guiding future generations on paths lit by perseverance and innovation. With visionaries like her in leadership, the exploration of space is poised for greatness.
