The field of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is one of the few professions that blends science, engineering, hands-on problem solving, and global opportunity. It’s a career path that, for many—including myself—begins in one place and leads to destinations never imagined. My journey through NDT has taken me from manufacturing and inspecting spaceflight hardware for NASA to working in the high-stakes world of oil and gas—often in environments as unforgiving as outer space. And while the industries and standards differ, one thing remains the same: the responsibility of the inspector is vital to human safety, environmental protection, and equipment reliability.
I began my career as a machinist with moderate skills and even more modest expectations. Growing up in a middle-class family, I never imagined that one day I would be working in aerospace or traveling across the country inspecting mission-critical components. I found employment with Lockheed Martin under the Engineering Contract at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC), where I initially produced Probability of Detection (POD) samples for the Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Special Projects Program. The work was rewarding but routine—until one Monday morning, I was offered a chance that would change everything.
The program manager asked if I wanted to sit in on an Eddy Current training session being held in our lab. The condition was simple: if a machining job came in, it would take priority, and I’d have to leave the class. I quickly agreed, not realizing at the time that this decision would mark the beginning of a life-changing career. That training was my first step into the world of NDT—a field that would come to define my professional identity and provide a passport to experiences I had only seen in comics and documentaries.
As I immersed myself in NDT, I realized how broad and technically diverse the field truly is. It encompasses numerous inspection methods—Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Radiography Testing (RT), Eddy Current Testing (ECT), Magnetic Particle (MT), Liquid Penetrant (PT), and more—each with its own purpose and complexities. But beyond the technology, it was the application of these tools across industries that truly opened my eyes.
Transitioning from the inspection of aerospace hardware to that of oilfield equipment was an illuminating experience. In aerospace, especially with man-rated hardware, the stakes are extraordinarily high. Materials are often lightweight, high-strength alloys designed for maximum performance under minimal tolerances. Flaws as small as 0.025 inches (0.635 mm) can be unacceptable due to the critical nature of the application. Everything is calculated with an abundance of caution. The flaw detection process for such parts is rigorous, including probability of detection studies at a 90/95 confidence level and mandatory practical testing to ensure the inspector can consistently identify defects at or below these thresholds.
Conversely, oil and gas components are typically much larger and thicker. Drill pipe, risers, wellheads, and pressure control equipment may not carry astronauts, but they do operate under extreme pressures and environmental hazards. While the flaw sizes accepted in oil and gas are sometimes larger due to structural redundancy and design margins, failure in these systems can be catastrophic—particularly in offshore environments where repair is complex, and environmental risks are high.
Despite the differences in material, function, and risk, both industries rely heavily on NDT to ensure safety and reliability. As technologies continue to evolve, we are seeing significant crossover. The commercialization of space has created new demand for quality inspectors with experience in both aerospace and energy. Likewise, advanced inspection methods like Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), Digital Radiography (DR), and Computed Tomography (CT)—long used in the aerospace sector—are being adopted in the oilfield to improve detection accuracy and data traceability.
Another major point of differentiation between the two industries lies in personnel certification and standardization. Aerospace technicians are typically qualified under NAS-410, which includes stringent requirements for classroom training, on-the-job experience, and documented performance. This standard reflects the critical nature of flight hardware, where even minor lapses can endanger lives.
In contrast, oil and gas technicians are most often certified under ASNT SNT-TC-1A or ANSI/ASNT CP-189. These standards allow more flexibility, particularly when programs are employer-based. Though not inherently less rigorous, they place greater responsibility on the employer to define training, testing, and recertification criteria.
Additionally, inspection parameters differ significantly. In oil and gas, gamma radiography is more common due to its ability to penetrate thick-walled materials in the field, while visible (Type II) dye penetrants are often preferred over fluorescent for surface crack detection. Ultrasonic inspections frequently involve the use of specific shear wave angles tailored to weld geometry and thickness. In aerospace, inspections are more likely to involve fluorescent penetrants, micro-focused x-ray systems, and ultrasonic methods designed for thin, intricate geometries.
Navigating the wide variety of applicable standards and customer-specific requirements has been one of the most challenging—and educational—parts of my career. In oil and gas, the American Petroleum Institute (API) sets the foundation for equipment design and inspection, with standards like API 5CT, API 6A, and others guiding the testing of drill pipe, wellheads, and pressure control equipment. These often reference or integrate the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section V, which remains the universal backbone for NDT procedures across industries.
In aerospace and spaceflight, specifications are often military in origin or issued by NASA. Man-rated and fracture- critical hardware must meet additional levels of scrutiny, including specialized flaw size detection thresholds and the mandatory use of POD trials. The intersection of NASA standards and ASME codes ensures technical consistency, but the documentation, audits, and reviews in aerospace remain on a level of their own.
Perhaps what’s most rewarding is the shared reliance on the inspector. No matter the industry, technology, or standard, it is ultimately the skill, integrity, and professionalism of the NDT technician that ensures flaws are properly detected, evaluated, and documented. That responsibility has taken me from cleanrooms to rig decks, from ultrasonic scans of spaceflight tubing to shear wave inspections of subsea welds.
Today, I have the honor of serving not only as the Responsible Level III at Astrion, but also as an NDT Professor at Lone Star College and an NDT Advocate with 4 Point NDT. Sharing my experiences with students and professionals alike allows me to give back to a profession that gave me purpose and opportunity. Whether I’m helping to train the next generation of inspectors or advocating for higher standards across industries, I remain driven by the belief that NDT is a cornerstone of modern safety and engineering integrity.
From the stars to the sea, my NDT journey has been one of growth, challenge, and discovery—and it’s far from over.
This article was developed by specialist Eddie C. Pompa and published as part of the fifth edition of Inspenet Brief magazine August 2025, dedicated to technical content in the energy and industrial sector.
