Y O U N G AL UMNI ACHIEV EMENT
A NDR E A
HANSON, ’02 capacity tests before flying to the ISS, are monitored while they exercise several hours a week on board, and then go through post-flight testing to see how their body reacted to being in orbit. “After 50 years of human space flight experience, we understand the physiological adaptations the body experiences after two weeks to six months in space. They will experience muscle and bone loss, which is okay up to a point,” said Hanson. “What we are doing is protecting them for their return home. We need them to be healthy and functional and be able to help themselves in case of an anomalous landing. When astronauts return to Earth, we have a welcome wagon waiting in the fields of Kazakhstan to help them out of the space capsule.” That need for healthy, strong astronauts is especially important for a future Mars mission, where there will be no one to assist the crew when they get to the surface. In her new position as Manager for the Central Nervous System/Behavioral Medicine/Sensory Motor Portfolio, Hanson is even more involved in planning for a manned Mars mission. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that you are helping to advance the capabilities of human space flight. I feel very privileged to be here and to contribute in the manner that I have.” Hanson grew up in Lake Park, Minnesota, and studied chemical engineering at UND. “It was just a tremendous baseline to my professional career. I tell people all the time that rocket science is easy compared to the chemical engineering program. I am still very thankful for faculty members and classmates that were so incredibly supportive.”
Beyond the technological advancements necessary to support a human mission to Mars, considerations need to be given to the physical and mental well-being of the astronauts who will make the long trip to the red planet. That’s where Andrea Hanson comes in. Dr. Hanson works at NASA’s Johnson Space Center where her expertise is determining the best ways for astronauts to stay fit in space, to optimize performance of mission critical tasks. Up until a recent promotion, Hanson spent most of her time at NASA as part of the team implementing the exercise program for astronauts on the International Space Station. Astronauts go through a battery of strength and aerobic
34 Alumni Review
Summer 2019
She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Student Alumni Association which, she says, kept her from locking herself away in a lab. Instead she found friends in these student organizations as well as a social activities and community connections. Through a friend, Hanson also started working as a counselor at Space Camp® in Alabama during the summers, which influenced her decision to pursue a Master's degree and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering with an emphasis in Bioastronautics and Microgravity Sciences at the University of Colorado. After post-doc work at the University of Washington, Hanson landed her dream job with NASA. Hanson says she’s looking forward to accepting her Young Alumni Achievement Award at Homecoming 2019. “I’m really thrilled and so honored to be receiving this award. Thank you to the University of North Dakota for setting me up for success and bringing me back ‘home’ to celebrate!” ///
