Welcome to NASA where the sky is not the limit and angels walk amongst
us.
Here, we present the angels seen at research heaven,
West Virginia (a.k.a. the NASA IV&V facility).
Traditionally, angels try to get people into heaven. Here, it is
a little more complicated. Sure,
we want our systems to ascend ever upwards.
But people, that's another matter.
Our angels are actively engaged in the mission of
stopping anyone
gaining entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven via NASA
software.
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Meet the Angels |
In keeping with standard practice, our angels are divided
into groups of specialists- just
like in American football.
There are 9 choirs of angels, divided into three:
Before meeting them, recall that most of them
are government civil
servants. Therefore, if you want to know how many of them can dance
on the head of a pin, you need only refer to ISO standard 9200m/b (dancing
behavior) and ISO standard 8200.1 (meeting procedures- includes recommendations
on useful size of meeting).
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Virtues |
(angels of the cosmos)
The Virtues are sometimes referred to as "the shining ones." They
Govern all of nature. They have control over seasons, stars, moon;
even the sun is subject to their command. They are also in charge of
miracles and provide courage, grace, and valor.
If I did not make Dr. Nelson (Ned) Keeler, facility Director, a Virtue,
then that would be a serious career limiting move.
Read Ned's introduction to IV&V.
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Dominions |
(angels of the cosmos)
These angels regulate the duties of the angels, making known the
commands of God.
Wes Deadrick lets us know the
commands of God, a.k.a. the Goddard contracting office through which
all things must flow. Wes is a whiz at making that flow smooth as silk.
Frank Gmeindl's got to be a Dominion.
He's king of the workflow diagram. Struggles valiantly each day
to keep meetings on time. Often fails (our fault, not his).
Franks' off-sider is Rodney Queen (left),
pictured here with Mike Biems.
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Powers |
(angels of the cosmos)
These are known as potentates. They fight against evil spirits who
attempt to wreak chaos through human beings. The chief is said to be
either Samael or Camael, both angels of darkness.
Clearly, that'd be our nurd-herders, two of which are shown below.
Our chief nurd-herder is Shirley Simmons, secretary to
the facility's director. Note the practiced enthusiasm with which
she glames it up for the photographer. Memo: repeat background check
on Ms Simmons.
Apprentice nurd-herder Lisa Montgomery.
Often,
an assistant to me
when she is not organizing our annual SAS conference or doing a million
other things.
Dangerously good at her job.
Is that what you wanted me to write Lisa? What's that- I don't have time
to do this? I have to be where? Sorry, sorry. Didn't realize. I'm going,
here I go, gone! Won't happen again.
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Archangels |
(angels of the world)
The Archangels communicate between God and mortals. They are also in
charge of Heaven's armies in the battle against hell, and supervise
the guardian angels. They themselves are guardian angels to great
people, such as heads of religions and states.
Bill Jackson, deputy director of the facility,
is clearly an archangel.
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Principalities |
(angels of the world)
These angels have "princely powers" and watch over the actions of the
Earth's nations and cities. They also govern and protect religion on
earth. Their chiefs are Requel, Anael, Cerviel, and Nisroc.
Observe the mock meek
Ken McGill, watch-over-er of research projects.
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Angels |
(angels of the world)
These angels are closest to the material world and human begins. They
deliver the prayers to God and God's answers and other messages to
humans.
There are many coal face angels at IV&V,
working day-to-day with the projects and the software.
Here's Ken Costello (NASA) taking to
Kurt Woodham (TITAN).
Here's Robert Martinez, a man with great
pick-up (truck, that is).
Judi Connelly, an angel if ever there
was one.
The mighty moustache men: Mike Chapman (left, Galaxy Global)
with Pat Callis (right, NASA).
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Seraphim |
(angels of pure contemplation)
The Seraphim are closest to God and sometimes referred to
as "burning fires of love" because they are angels of the purest
love. Rulers of the Seraphim are Seraphiel, Jahoel,
Metatron, and
Michael.
There are no Seraphim at IV&V.
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Thrones |
(angels of pure contemplation)
Thrones are the angels of peace and submission. They reside in the
area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape.
Hmmm... material form begins to take place?
Sounds like the grad students, the ones trying to write
their thesis. Here's the ones I have photos of:
Dustin Geletko, the man with the
worst job in the building: taming MATLAB! A task he tackles
with vim and vigor each day.
Andres Orrego (the man behind
TAR4) and
Greg Mundy (the mon from Jamacia).
No, it's not the UnaBomber. It's
David Owen, Visiting Scientist, valiant explorer of state space
and master of the random search.
Ranganath Perugupalli,
bug collector extraordinaire:
chases bug records in open source software.
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Cherubim |
(angels of pure contemplation)
These are the voices of divine wisdom, possessing a deep
insight into God's secrets. Chiefs of the Cherubim are Ophaniel,
Rikbiel, Cherubiel, Raphael, and Gabriel.
<blush>Well shucks,
that'd be me</blush>.
Tim Menzies,
SE research chair.