WEBVTT

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[music]

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My name is Jacob Torres, and I engineer
hardware that grows plants in space.

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One of the biggest things that I work on

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is developing irrigation systems
that grow crops in microgravity.

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I use 3D printing rapid prototyping to
make hardware that allows plants to grow

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not only here on Earth or in our lab but
also on the International Space Station.

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NASA is talking about going to the Moon.

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We want to go to Mars, but food
is a big concern for our crew.

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So growing crops, space plant
biology is a vital aspect to

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these long-duration missions that
NASA is going to do in the future.

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But also, this is an opportunity
for us to try new technologies and

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new methods to growing crops
in controlled environments.

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A controlled environment, you can grow plant
year-round, no matter what the weather is.

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And so this work that we're doing,
the hardware that we're building,

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can be applied for these deep space missions,

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but also can be used here on Earth for people
and Farmers to grow plants wherever they are.

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You know, I come from a farming Community. I
was raised to grow plants and be a plant person.

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But I also always wanted to be an engineer. I

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told my mom since I was young.
Mom, I want to be an engineer,

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and I have found a place with space biology
that encompasses all of the things that I love.

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I get to build and design things that have never

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been done before. That is one
of the most exciting things.

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You know, it was an untraditional
path for me to get where I am.

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But it really is never too late to
start working towards your dreams.

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NASA has many aspects to it, from
launching rockets to growing plants

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and everything in between. Every
type of skill is needed within NASA,

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and there's a place for you, and you can do
what I've done as well. Follow your dreams.

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[music]