David Oh | NASA, Systems Engineering, and Sending Robots to Space

Being an Engineer · 23 Dec 2022 · 53m · Episode 49

What this episode covers

David Oh, former flight director for the Mars Curiosity rover and current systems engineering manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), discusses the Psyche mission and the complexities of deep space exploration. He details the autonomous entry, descent, and landing (EDL) process, including the sky crane maneuver, and explains how JPL manages risk through rigorous systems engineering and a five-by-five risk matrix. Oh also describes the unique operational challenge of living on 'Martian time' with his family, where the 40-minute daily shift required syncing their schedules to the rover's 24-hour, 40-minute sol.

Mentioned

Companies
NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Maxar, Caltech
Products
Curiosity rover, Psyche mission, Perseverance rover, Sky Crane

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