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Astronaut Visits Northwest Catholic Robotics Team
Capt. Dan Burbank told stories of his journeys to space and gave advice on building a robot for their "Destination: Deep Space" competition.
The Northwest Catholic Robotics Team had a very special visitor this week. Former NASA Astronaut, retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain, and current UTC Senior Technical Fellow visited the West Hartford high school to talk with the young engineers about space and robotics.
Daniel C. Burbank was the honored guest at the after-school team meeting. He told stories of his four journeys to space and gave practical advice on building a robot for their March “Destination: Deep Space” competition.
Burbank received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1985 and an M.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle in 1990. As a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard, Burbank held a number of important positions and attended naval flight training school. He later held several commander, instructor, and officer positions, including Aircraft Commander, Instructor Pilot, and Aeronautical Engineering Officer. Burbank flew more than 2,000 missions during his tenure. In 1996 he was selected by NASA to become an astronaut. He worked as a Mission Specialist on Space Shuttle missions STS-106 and STS-115, as Flight Engineer on Expedition 29, and as Commander of Expedition 30.
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Today Dan Burbank is a Senior Technical Fellow in General Engineering for UTC’s Collins Aerospace Systems ISR and Space Solutions. UTC has sponsored NWC in this FIRST Robotics Team and graciously sent Capt. Burbank NWC’s way. He will continue his work with the Northwest Catholic students as they build their space machine.
Pictured:
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Daniel C. Burbank, NASA Astronaut, Capt. U.S. Coast Guard, Ret. (4th from left) stands with members of the Northwest Catholic Robotics Team after giving a lesson on space and engineering. From left: Robotics Team Advisor and NWC Science Teacher Sanchita Maitra of Middletown; Gabe Landi, a senior from Colebrook, Mishi Froman, junior from West Hartford, Francesca Discenza, senior from Wethersfield, Justin Defina, junior from Canton, Megan Shanley, sophomore from Barkhamsted, Team Advisor and NWC Music Teacher Dan Luddy of West Hartford, and Kieran Shanley, a senior from Barkhamsted.
Pictured:
Former NASA Astronaut Dan Burbank talks with members of the Northwest Catholic Robotics Team in one of the school’s science labs.
