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This Week in Space 81: Rob Manning, the Carroll Shelby of Mars

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We all know that NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory designs, builds, and flies the premiere machines of space exploration, but just who designs and prepares them? It takes a team, but unique leadership must be at the top, and Rob Manning, JPL's Chief Engineer, has long been such a leader. From his earliest work on Voyager through engineering every set of wheels on Mars to overseeing engineering for all of JPL, Rob's story reads like an engineer's dream. Come share that dream with us as we talk to Rob, the Carroll Shelby of Mars.

  • Rod and Tariq kick off the show by discussing the latest space news, including OSIRIS-REx's return with asteroid Bennu sample, NASA website changes, and an impending government shutdown
  • Special guest Rob Manning shares his unbelievable career path from JPL technician to Chief Mars Engineer
  • Manning recalls the scrappy early days of Mars Pathfinder and the "magical" atmosphere of autonomy and innovation
  • Building Pathfinder on a shoestring $150 million budget meant improvising with consumer hardware and "ad hoc engineering"
  • Pathfinder team was isolated and given the freedom to innovate, but faced intense scrutiny from legendary NASA experts
  • Manning details how Pathfinder pioneered airbag landing and was the first Mars landing in over 20 years
  • Pathfinder was initially designed for one-month lifespan but kept going for over three months - a shocking engineering achievement
  • Manning emphasizes the importance of hands-on engineering experience versus today's digital abstraction
  • They discuss how Pathfinder's philosophy and margins set the stage for Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity greatly outlasting expectations
  • Manning previews upcoming Europa Clipper, Psyche asteroid missions, and more
  • Manning shares principles for building robust systems: embrace complexity, test thoroughly, plan for the unknown

    • Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

    Guest: Rob Manning

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