Hello! I have applied to Blue Origin in the past but have not got very far. I have been working very hard to improve my skills, I recently interviewed on site at SpaceX (but didn't get it) and I'm trying my hardest to write the best code I can in order to improve my chances at helping people build space ships.
Do you have any advice for my next application to Blue Origin? My strongest points are my unending passion for spaceflight, science and desire to better myself. My code and software engineering skills improve by the hour (...it's Christmas in two hours and I'm working on pressureNET and reading HN). I have some excellent projects under my belt but I have no experience working on spaceships or related systems.
But I'm not sure what else I can do. So if you have some advice that would be fantastic.
In many cases a choice between passionate intermediates and indifferent seniors boils down to whether they have a capacity for mentoring, which is a demanding process.
That is very much what SpaceX said to me, and so I've spent the last few months working as hard as I can to become top-notch so they'll pay attention.
I know that I need to improve. I am still hoping that there are other angles, other things I can do, so that the answer to my question is NOT "25 year olds are bad. Come back when you're 40 and already have three of your own spaceships in orbit".
Can you tell us what the "... or otherwise able to review all export-controlled technical information" point in the qualifications means? How would one be able to determine if he/she is able to do that. Is it nationality related? [I have no knowledge of this space, so excuse me if this something obvious.]
A significant amount of rocket technology is covered by ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), which means that its restricted to largely US citizens. That means it cannot be legally shared with foreign college students, for example.
The first rockets were basically ICBMs without the warhead. Gemini capsules were launched from a Titan II rocket, for example.
I should have said "US Persons" not "US Citizen" above.
I'm not sure about SpaceX specifically, but if you were a Green Card holder. e.g O-1 Exceptional Ability, then you'd be considered a US Person for ITAR compliance.
From http://www.spacex.com/careers.php
"To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State."
It doesn't sound like SpaceX require a Secret/Top Secret clearance for most of their employees. Some other space companies (Orbital Science Corp, ULA/Boeing/Lockheed Martin) do because they work on missile systems like ICBMs in related programs.
From what I understood, most engineers who make the grade to work at SpaceX, would be O-1 visa eligible as well. The O-1 is not tied to continued employment at a particular company.
http://www.blueorigin.com/updates/updates-2011-11-17-video-o...