A century of black life, history and culture: William Harwell
2015-02-26
For Black History Month, Johnson Space Center is honoring a few African-American employees whose culture and history have helped shaped them into the people they are today.
Since eighth grade William Harwell, renowned design engineer in Johnson Space Center’s Crew and Thermal Systems Division, knew he wanted to be an aerospace engineer. For more than 30 years, Harwell has been working for JSC—fulfilling his childhood vision of working in the space industry.
Harwell’s work has been prolific for NASA, and he even collected patents for his designs of a geometrical vapor blocker (for spacecraft radiators), an apparatus and method of capturing an orbiting spacecraft (Apogee Kick Motor [AKM]capture device) and a magnetic attachment mechanism (for the manipulation of satellites). He is quick to point out that the majority of the work done at NASA is conducted by teams, on which he just does his part—design.
“I’ve worked on tools and life support systems for suited astronauts for shuttle and station, thermal systems for spacecraft and a ton of other projects,” Harwell said.
His long and prosperous career at NASA started in 1983, when he left the oil industry. Once he got to NASA, he was quickly involved in the retrieval of two satellites that failed to reach geosynchronous orbit.
“I didn’t think like NASA people when I first got here,” Harwell said.
He used his fresh perspective on the project to design the AKM capture device, which also earned him a patent. That was Harwell’s favorite project.
“It was a brand-new experience in a new occupation, as well as a fast-paced and challenging assignment,” Harwell said. A few years later, he worked on the Intelsat Satellite Retrieval team.
In addition to his successful work with satellites, Harwell also worked on the development of Space Station Freedom’s configuration as the heat rejection subsystem manager. In this role, he was responsible for the radiators and their positioning system. During this time in Harwell’s career, he was working a double tour—space station subsystem management by day and designer of radiators in the evening. He received one of the patents listed above for that work.
Harwell also participated in the design of the vibration isolation systems for the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED), the X-38 heat-ejection system and an early version of the rover's spacesuit docking system.
Recently, he has been involved in the development of the next-generation spacesuit and a space station flight experiment seeking to advance heat exchanger technology. Harwell, too, was a member of the team that developed contingency methods for handling water in the spacesuit helmet.
Education is a driving force in Harwell’s career success. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) and his master’s degree at the University of Houston—both in mechanical engineering. Harwell takes a multifaceted approach to education, and understands the value of being flexible.
“People think of engineers as just math and science people,” Harwell said. “They really have to be very well rounded and able to communicate their ideas.”
Every summer he mentors an intern, tasking the interns with projects that not only help in their development, but also contribute to the division’s mission.
“It’s our job to train the future,” Harwell said.
From an early age, Harwell knew he was going to work in the space industry. JSC provided the outlet for his creative solutions and designs, which earned him the status of senior design engineer.
“I’m unique in that I’m the only one in this division that has been in EC2 my entire career,” Harwell said. He has stayed in the same division and same branch since 1983, doing what he enjoys.
Anna Seils
NASA Johnson Space Center
Since eighth grade William Harwell, renowned design engineer in Johnson Space Center’s Crew and Thermal Systems Division, knew he wanted to be an aerospace engineer. For more than 30 years, Harwell has been working for JSC—fulfilling his childhood vision of working in the space industry.
Harwell’s work has been prolific for NASA, and he even collected patents for his designs of a geometrical vapor blocker (for spacecraft radiators), an apparatus and method of capturing an orbiting spacecraft (Apogee Kick Motor [AKM]capture device) and a magnetic attachment mechanism (for the manipulation of satellites). He is quick to point out that the majority of the work done at NASA is conducted by teams, on which he just does his part—design.
“I’ve worked on tools and life support systems for suited astronauts for shuttle and station, thermal systems for spacecraft and a ton of other projects,” Harwell said.
His long and prosperous career at NASA started in 1983, when he left the oil industry. Once he got to NASA, he was quickly involved in the retrieval of two satellites that failed to reach geosynchronous orbit.
“I didn’t think like NASA people when I first got here,” Harwell said.
He used his fresh perspective on the project to design the AKM capture device, which also earned him a patent. That was Harwell’s favorite project.
“It was a brand-new experience in a new occupation, as well as a fast-paced and challenging assignment,” Harwell said. A few years later, he worked on the Intelsat Satellite Retrieval team.
In addition to his successful work with satellites, Harwell also worked on the development of Space Station Freedom’s configuration as the heat rejection subsystem manager. In this role, he was responsible for the radiators and their positioning system. During this time in Harwell’s career, he was working a double tour—space station subsystem management by day and designer of radiators in the evening. He received one of the patents listed above for that work.
Harwell also participated in the design of the vibration isolation systems for the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED), the X-38 heat-ejection system and an early version of the rover's spacesuit docking system.
Recently, he has been involved in the development of the next-generation spacesuit and a space station flight experiment seeking to advance heat exchanger technology. Harwell, too, was a member of the team that developed contingency methods for handling water in the spacesuit helmet.
Education is a driving force in Harwell’s career success. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) and his master’s degree at the University of Houston—both in mechanical engineering. Harwell takes a multifaceted approach to education, and understands the value of being flexible.
“People think of engineers as just math and science people,” Harwell said. “They really have to be very well rounded and able to communicate their ideas.”
Every summer he mentors an intern, tasking the interns with projects that not only help in their development, but also contribute to the division’s mission.
“It’s our job to train the future,” Harwell said.
From an early age, Harwell knew he was going to work in the space industry. JSC provided the outlet for his creative solutions and designs, which earned him the status of senior design engineer.
“I’m unique in that I’m the only one in this division that has been in EC2 my entire career,” Harwell said. He has stayed in the same division and same branch since 1983, doing what he enjoys.
Anna Seils
NASA Johnson Space Center