ZACH SELLINGER
SPACE IS MY LIFE
For the majority of my life, I have been both enamored and obsessed with space. Every facet of the industry captures my interest and imagination from the original Space Race, Moon landings, Shuttle programs, Mars landings and all of the rockets that have launched satellites to space. As technology continues to explode, I am amazed by the accomplishments of cutting-edge companies. Never would I have thought that my passion and hobby would have turned into my focus in college and soon-to-be professional career. Space is my life!
I also want to share that I have both dealt with and overcome many obstacles in my life. When I was a little over two years old, I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome on the autism spectrum. All this did was make it a bit more difficult for my peers to understand "my way" of thinking and processing, but after years of hard work, I have learned how to use this to my advantage. Asperger's is a gift that has given me the skill set not only to succeed in life, but also a career in the field I love.
In August 2017, I was accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to its new Commercial Spaceflight Operations degree program. The classes are both challenging and interesting such as Space Policy, Homeland Security, Satellite and Spacecraft Systems & Safety Factors, just to name a few.
My immediate goal is to secure employment, or an internship, in a professional environment that taps into my knowledge and acumen, sharpens my skills and provides an assortment of challenges and new experiences on a daily basis. I would like to help engineers and the teams do their jobs perfectly and to hopefully achieve ambitions never heard of before.
I have impeccable attention for detail and the ability to learn new tasks and adapt my skills to a range of work situations. I can contribute growth and success through every task that I undertake. I am enthusiastic about being a part of your company and am positive I would make a valuable addition.
2020
MY MISSION
I am wholeheartedly committed to having a long and productive career in the United States space industry.
What began as a childhood fascination with rocketry, astronauts and NASA missions grew over time into a teenage hobby, then an obsession with research and fact-finding, and ultimately evolved into my educational focus and chosen field. Voila!
Whether my career path in the space industry arcs through the private sector, the public sector or perhaps a private/public partnership, I am fully prepared to pursue my life’s passion. Parents, professors, mentors and other influencers have instilled in me drive and determination.
The creeds I live by are: Be productive.
Have an impact. Make a difference.
In short, Zach Sellinger Space Industry Savant is
ready to launch!
"My immediate goal is to obtain employment or internship within the space industry and offer a company my unique skills, knowledge and commitment."
Zach Sellinger
"Throughout my 20 year career with NASA, I had the honor and privilege to work with many professionals throughout the space industry. When I met Zachary Sellinger, I knew he had something special. Zachary has a more in-depth knowledge of space history than most individuals who have worked their entire career in the industry. It is inspiring to see how he overcame obstacles to turn his childhood obsession into a personal passion to impact the future of commercial space. Zachary's in-depth knowledge, passion and determination make him uniquely suited to make an immediate impact on the industry."
Mrs. Karen Lucht
Manager Commercial Crew Program’s Program Control & Integration Office
NASA - Retired
Zach, you continue to amaze me with your persistence and performance! Keep reaching for the stars so that your dreams may become reality.
Mr. Dick Covey
Missions STS-51-I, STS-26, STS-38, STS-61
"I am excited to see what the future holds for Zach Sellinger. He embodies a passion for the space and aviation industry that only comes along in very special people.
His recent graduation from Embry-Riddle is a testimony to his commitment and work ethic and he deserves a chance to realize his dream to make a difference in the world of space travel".
Mr. Mike Reagan
Senior Vice President
RE/MAX International
We are thrilled to see how Zach’s passion and incredible knowledge for space and aviation has come full circle with his graduation from Embry Riddle. As parents to a teenager on the autism spectrum we know the many extra hurdles he has jumped in his determination and drive to work in the space arena. We truly hope that other companies will realize and reinforce the valuable skillsets that people on the autism spectrum can bring to an organization, especially one as detail oriented as the space industry. We can’t wait to see where the journey takes this intelligent, passionate and hard working young man.
Greg & Nicole Chalmers
Founder Maximum Chances
PGA Tour Golfer
MY TESTIMONIALS
Dedicated
Problem
Solver
DILLIGENT
Critical Thinker
ENERGETIC
TasK
oriented
INSTANT RECALL
LOYAL
LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO SPACE FLIGHT
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ZACH'S FAVORITES
A COLLECTION OF ZACH"S FAVORITE SPACE MOMENTS
1960's: Apollo 11, because it was the first manned lunar landing. Apollo 11 lasted from July 16, 1969 to July 24, 1969.
1970's: The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, because it was the first time America and Russia collaborated together in space. This was one of the reasons the Cold War ended. ASTP lasted from July 15, 1975 to July 24, 1975.
1980's: STS-1, because it was the beginning of a new manned space exploration era in terms of what the Shuttle program's intentions were. STS-1 lasted from April 12, 1981 to April 14, 1981.
1990's: STS-83, because it was depicted in an educational video I watched as a little kid. STS-83 lasted from April 4, 1997 to April 8, 1997.
2000's: STS-112, because it was the first to use an onboard camera on the External Tank. STS-112 lasted from October 7, 2002 to October 18, 2002.
2010's: Falcon Heavy Test Flight because it launched Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster and featured the simultaneous landing of the two side boosters. The test flight took place on February 6, 2018.
American astronaut: Dick Covey, because I met him in person before and he's one of the reasons I was motivated to pursue my dream to work in the space industry.
Launch vehicle/rocket: Falcon Heavy, because of how complex it is and the fact that all but the upper stage is reusable; most notably, all three boosters.
Space movies: "The Dream is Alive", "The Martian", and "Armageddon"
Launch I witnessed live: SpaceX CRS-9 on July 18, 2016, because it was the first time I saw a Falcon 9 booster land at Cape Canaveral.
Animal that went into space: Ham, because despite him being a chimpanzee, he served a purpose for the first Americans going in space.
International astronaut: Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, because he was the first Japanese astronaut to command the International Space Station.
I think astronauts will get to Mars by 2030 because I can see the preparations for these missions lasting until that date. It just takes time.
Most influential space person in my opinion: Elon Musk, because of how genius he is in terms of rocket reusability, drastic cost savings in terms of rocketry, and his eventual plans for manned Mars missions.
Visiting KSC: STS-116 launch on December 9, 2006, because it was one of my dreams to see the Space Shuttle launch in person.
Embry-Riddle class I attended: "CSO 330: Spaceflight and Ops Training", because I knew almost all the topics in the lectures and got A's and B's on the exams leading up to a final A in the end.
Embry-Riddle professor: Dr. Ryan Kobrick, because he understood my passion for space and supported my future goals regarding my desire to work in the field of spaceflight operations.
Space company: SpaceX, because of their rocket reusability, which blew my mind.
Solar System planet: Mars, because it's the planet we're all focusing on in terms of whether there's life on it or not.
Space video game: Kerbal Space Program, because I can build my own rockets and master my skills at landing on Kerbin's moons or launching into orbit.
ZACH'S PLAYLIST
A SELECTION OF ZACH"S FAVORITE FOOTAGE
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