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My name is Jacob Torres, and I engineer hardware that grows plants in space.
One of the biggest things that I work on
is developing irrigation systems that grow crops in microgravity.
I use 3D printing rapid prototyping to make hardware that allows plants to grow
not only here on Earth or in our lab but also on the International Space Station.
NASA is talking about going to the Moon.
We want to go to Mars, but food is a big concern for our crew.
So growing crops, space plant biology is a vital aspect to
these long-duration missions that NASA is going to do in the future.
But also, this is an opportunity for us to try new technologies and
new methods to growing crops in controlled environments.
A controlled environment, you can grow plant year-round, no matter what the weather is.
And so this work that we're doing, the hardware that we're building,
can be applied for these deep space missions,
but also can be used here on Earth for people and Farmers to grow plants wherever they are.
You know, I come from a farming Community. I was raised to grow plants and be a plant person.
But I also always wanted to be an engineer. I
told my mom since I was young. Mom, I want to be an engineer,
and I have found a place with space biology that encompasses all of the things that I love.
I get to build and design things that have never
been done before. That is one of the most exciting things.
You know, it was an untraditional path for me to get where I am.
But it really is never too late to start working towards your dreams.
NASA has many aspects to it, from launching rockets to growing plants
and everything in between. Every type of skill is needed within NASA,
and there's a place for you, and you can do what I've done as well. Follow your dreams.
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