Native Jefferson Countian Eric Wichmann took advantage of his computer skills to launch a career in space exploration.
Wichmann, a Windsor High School graduate who grew up in Imperial, works in information technology (IT) for SpaceX in Florida, contributing to the launch of rockets and other spacecraft.
“I think I’ve helped launch about 125 after last night,” Wichmann said on Dec. 30.
Wichmann, 31, who now lives in Merritt Island, Fla., said he started working for SpaceX in April 2015 and started a new job as a network security engineer for the company in November 2021.
“For the first (nearly) six years I worked for SpaceX, I was the IT launch controller,” he said. “I managed the IT launch infrastructure. I built and maintained the servers, network and firewalls for the launches and landing of rockets and spacecraft.”
When he was a launch controller, he was an active participant in SpaceX launches and got to announce that it was a “Go!” for the IT department as part of launches.
“That means all IT systems required for the mission are ready to go,” he said. “Every team gets questioned if they are good to go for the launch.”
Wichmann said as a network security engineer he is focused on network security for the company.
“Now, my job is maintaining and improving information security for the organization,” he said.
Wichmann said the Dec. 29 rocket launch he participated in went smoothly and accomplished its mission to put a satellite in space.
“The rocket came back in just a few minutes,” he said. “The satellite will be up there for its designated life cycle.”
SpaceX flights also can involve human travelers, Wichmann said.
“We’ve launched 20 or so astronauts now,” he said.
Wichmann said his job is based in Florida, but he also has worked on launches on the West Coast.
“The launches take place in Vandenburg, Calif., and Cape Canaveral, Fla.,” he said. “I work out of Cape Canaveral, but we work launches for both coasts.”
Wichmann said SpaceX had a busy year in 2022.
“I think we launched our 61st launch of the year last night,” he said. “That’s a new record for SpaceX. (For 2023), we’re looking to do over 100.”
Wichmann said launching rockets never gets old.
“Definitely, there’s nothing more exciting than reaching out to the stars,” he said.
Wichmann said he is especially excited about SpaceX’s Starship project.
“I can’t wait for us to launch our Starship,” Wichmann said. “That’s the Mars prototype rocket. We’re trying to get humans to Mars.”
Always good with computers
Wichmann’s family members said his job with SpaceX seemed like a natural progression for Eric, who always had a knack for computers.
“I would say we always knew he was going to do something big,” said his sister, Melissa Wichmann of St. Louis County. “He was proven to be a genius at a very young age. He’s always excelled at computers.”
Their parents, Donna and Dave Wichmann, still live in Imperial.
Dave said he is not surprised his son landed a job in computers in the space industry.
“He’s a really bright kid,” Dave said. “He was most definitely good with computers.”
Dave said he’s proud of his son’s accomplishments.
“It’s a pretty exciting job he has,” Dave said. “We’ve gone down there to see him, but we haven’t seen any of the launches. He’s where he’s supposed to be.”
Getting in trouble
Eric Wichmann admitted that his computer prowess got him in some trouble during high school.
“I’ve always been interested in IT,” he said. “I actually got kicked out of Windsor High for a few weeks for hacking. They let me back in. I would hope they’ve matured their system since then.”
Wichmann said he was in the gifted program at Windsor High.
Wichmann graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in information technology in 2016.
“At Mizzou, I also got kicked out for hacking,” he said. “They pressed charges but then dropped them because I didn’t actually break the law. Now, I help them with their IT curriculum.
“At Windsor, I got in trouble for unauthorized use of computers. At Mizzou, it was similar. Nothing ever malicious. I never stole anything. It was nothing that would hurt anybody.”
He said his life has not always been completely about computers.
“I ran track (at Windsor High),” Wichmann said. “I ran track with my friend, ‘Smiling’ Scott Cilufo.”
Mike Rickermann, Windsor C-1 School District assistant superintendent who was a teacher and coach at Windsor High while Wichmann was a student there, said he remembers him.
“As a district, we’re extremely proud of how Eric works at such a high-level position,” Rickermann said.