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

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2022-12-23
- Length: 53m
- Episode: 49
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/david-oh-nasa/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=0) Introduction: David Oh and NASA JPL
- [2:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=150) David Oh's Background: MIT, Music, and Engineering
- [8:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=494) JPL's Role in Deep Space Missions
- [11:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=703) Living on Martian Time with the Curiosity Rover
- [18:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=1097) Curiosity's Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL)
- [23:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=1393) The Psyche Mission: Exploring a Metal Asteroid
- [26:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=1608) Risk Management and the Discovery Program Proposal Process
- [36:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=2184) Systems Engineering: Balancing Art and Science
- [44:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-23-david-oh-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space#t=2664) Future NASA Missions and Work-Life Balance

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- NASA (company)
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (company)
- Curiosity rover (product)
- Psyche mission (product)
- Perseverance rover (product)
- Sky Crane (product)
- Maxar (company)
- Caltech (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [371: All Martian Things Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-29-371-all-martian-things-considered) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode 127: Robots exploring other planets - Frances Zhu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-03-episode-127-robots-exploring-other-planets-frances-zhu) (Robot Talk)
- [330: I Just Want a Dog](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-05-14-330-i-just-want-a-dog) (Embedded.fm)
- [Designing robot arms to survive lunar nights; Waymo 'no plans' to expand in Ariz.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-05-designing-robot-arms-to-survive-lunar-nights-waymo-no-plans-to-expand-in-ariz) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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