Masters with Masters

The conversation explored the collaboration involved in building the International Space Station, particularly projects such as ESA's Columbus module, ATV, and Cupola. Both guests agreed that the relationships that were built throughout the ISS program were critical to success. I think the thing in the end that mattered was that people developed trust and respect for one another’s roles and responsibilities, added Thirkettle. And if you’ve got trust and respect and you’ve got transparency, then I think you can pretty much solve anything that you ever wanted to try and do.

On August 13, 2012, the Academy's Masters with Masters series featured aerospace heavyweights Jack Boyd and Hans Mark at Ames Research Center. Boyd, senior advisor to the NASA Ames Center Director and 65-year veteran of Moffett Field, served as the former NASA associate administrator and acting deputy center director at Ames. Mark, former NASA Deputy Administrator and Ames Center Director, also served roles as Chancellor of the University of Texas; former Secretary and Undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force; Director of the National Reconnaissance Office; and Director of the Department of Defense/Defense Research and Engineering. Reflecting on their early careers and offering insights for the next generation, Boyd and Mark covered a range of topics including the transition from Apollo to Shuttle, the agency's tolerance for risk, the role of research and technology in NASA's future, models for innovation, and young professional recruitment and career development.

In a Masters with Masters geared towards young professionals, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, European Space Agency Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain, and German Aerospace Center (DLR) Chairman of the Executive Board Johann-Dietrich Worner engaged in a conversation about today's challenges with international cooperation, the role of strong relationships in successful collaborations, and advice to young professionals on career advancement. The event took place at the 2011 International Astronautical Congress in Cape Town, South Africa.

In a discussion facilitated by the NASA Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership Director Dr. Ed Hoffman, Abiodun and Martinez shared their insights on the continued development of Africa as a continent of space faring nations, current space application and astronomy projects in Africa, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of explorers at home and abroad.

Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations, and Shiraki, Executive Director of the Human Space Systems and Utilization Mission Directorate at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), shared personal reflections on the role of international collaboration in complex programs in a Masters with Masters training event at the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters on July 11, 2011.

Dr. Rudolf (Rudi) Schmidt, currently head of ESA's Telecommunications Satellite Programs Department, was previously project manager for several projects in ESA's Directorate of Science and Robotics Exploration, including Mars Express, Venus Express, and Gaia. Rob Manning is the Mars Exploration Program chief engineer at JPL as well as the chief engineer for the Mars Science Laboratory mission. He previously led the spacecraft systems engineering team for the 2004 Mars Exploration Rover project and served as the chief engineer for the 1997 Mars Pathfinder. Both emphasized the need to remain open-minded in the face of the tremendous technical challenges posed by Mars missions. They also agreed about the need for a balance between engineering skepticism and a positive attitude.

Charlie Bolden, NASA Administrator, and Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the German Aerospace Center Executive Board, shared personal reflections and perspectives on international collaboration in the sixth Masters with Masters Event, held at the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters, December 8, 2010. Bolden spoke about the importance of transparency, reciprocity, and mutual benefit in partnerships across sectors. We are part of a collaboration of academia, industry, and international partners, and we cannot be successful unless we all work together, he said. Visit the NASA Academy website, appel.nasa.gov

In Part 2 of Masters with Masters 6, Charlie Bolden, NASA Administrator, and Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the German Aerospace Center Executive Board, DLR, talked about technology and innovation. They discuss the ways in which evolutionary technology development requires continuity and revolutionary technology breakthroughs require autonomy. Visit the NASA Academy website, appel.nasa.gov

Charlie Bolden, NASA Administrator, and Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the German Aerospace Center Executive Board, answer questions from the audience on the topics of international collaboration and innovation. Questions range from specific collaborations between NASA and DLR about the International Space Station to questions about the future international collaboration. Visit the NASA Academy website, appel.nasa.gov

Charlie Bolden, NASA Administrator, and Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the German Aerospace Center Executive Board, share stories about their mentors and give advice to the next generation workforce. Visit the NASA Academy website, appel.nasa.gov