Hardware Podcasts

Ep. 10 | NASA Astronaut Matthew Dominick on Critical Engineering in Aerospace Technology

Moore's Lobby · 26 Sept 2020 · 48m · Episode 10

What this episode covers

NASA astronaut and former Navy test pilot Matthew Dominick discusses the critical role of electrical engineering in aerospace, from the sensor fusion in F-35 fighter jets to the design of lunar landers. He highlights the importance of human-system integration, explaining how he acts as a 'translator' to ensure engineers remember the physical limitations of the human body inside the cockpit or spacesuit. Dominick also shares insights on the shift towards rapid prototyping in rocket manufacturing and the surprising complexity of designing reliable user interfaces, using toasters as a prime example of user-centric design.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
NASA, Northrop Grumman, Texas Instruments
Products
F-35, FA-18E Super Hornet, X-47B, V-22 Osprey

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 00m

    Inspirations and Aspirations - Recanting Rocket Rationale

    Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics and FindChips shares insights from tours of SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, reflecting on the high-pressure, mission-critical engineering culture in aerospace compared to consumer electronics. Dave Jones of EEVblog discusses his challenges in getting a side project manufactured by a large name-brand manufacturer, highlighting the difficulty of cost control and the necessity of setting artificial constraints to avoid scope creep. The hosts also debate the role of reality TV and YouTube in inspiring the next generation of engineers and the strategic decision to vertically integrate manufacturing versus outsourcing.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringScaling production
    8 chapters

  • Being an Engineer · 22m

    S1E04 Designing for UAV fighter pilots | Bryant Foster

    Bryant Foster, VP of Human Factors at Research Collective, explains how human factors engineering integrates psychology, design, and engineering to optimize product usability. He details his work with the US Army on UAV fighter pilots, using eye-tracking and biometric data to analyze sensor operator behavior and design realistic training simulations. Foster discusses the specific tools used in this field, such as Tobii glasses and galvanic skin response sensors, and clarifies the distinction between human factors scientists and UX designers. He also highlights the growing importance of human factors testing in FDA 510(k) submissions for medical devices to mitigate misuse risks.

    Sensors & measurement in productsMedical & health devices
    4 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 36m

    An Interview with Matt Berggren

    Matt Berggren, Director of the Fusion 360 team at Autodesk, discusses the integration of electronics design into the Fusion 360 platform and the history of the Eagle acquisition. He details the technical shift from mesh-based models to solid-body geometry for PCBs, enabling real-time thermal simulation and seamless electromechanical synchronization. Berggren also reflects on his career path from microwave communications and Altium to his current role, emphasizing the importance of parametric workflows in bridging ECAD and MCAD.

    EDA & CAD toolsMechanical engineering
    7 chapters

  • EE Times Current · 31m

    Electronics at the Top of the World | The Artful Engineer

    Matt DuPuy, a principal engineer at Arm and accomplished mountaineer, discusses how ruggedized electronics like GPS watches and satellite transponders have transformed safety and navigation in extreme environments like Mount Everest. He explains the shift from analog tools to triple-redundant digital systems and the psychological parallels between engineering reliability and mountaineering risk management. The episode also features Jack Weast, an Intel Fellow and musician, who explores the intersection of art and engineering in his career path.

    Batteries & low-power designWireless & RF
    6 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 22m

    154: Physics Is a Big Pain

    Jeff Keyzer, an electrical engineer at Valve and founder of the open-source electronics kit company MightyOhm, discusses the challenges of designing and manufacturing consumer hardware like the Steam Controller. He shares insights on the importance of clear specifications for vendors, the difficulties of managing complex electromechanical assemblies, and the critical role of embedded software in facilitating manufacturing test and programming. Keyzer also provides detailed technical advice on soldering techniques, flux selection, and the physics of RF antenna design.

    Design for manufacturing & NPIEmbedded firmware
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Moore's Lobby. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.