NASA engineers discuss latest technology with MSU Bagley students
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥旂哿κ悠 engineering students learned about NASA鈥檚 new Space Launch System, known as SLS, from four NASA engineers, all MSU alumni, during a panel discussion Wednesday [April 6] held as part of the university鈥檚 E-Week.
Featuring special informational sessions, a trivia night and multiple hands-on activities for students in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, E-Week is hosted by MSU鈥檚 Engineering Student Council.
David K. Hall, assistant manager of SLS Program鈥檚 Stages Element Office at NASA鈥檚 Marshall Space Flight Center, said he had watched the Apollo 11 mission as a child, and it had been his dream to work for NASA ever since. A 1984 MSU electrical engineering graduate, he said he is fortunate and proud to have spent his whole career with NASA.
Megan Martinez, systems and integration engineer at NASA鈥檚 Stennis Space Center, said SLS is comprised of a massive number of different 鈥減arts and pieces鈥 representing an enormous collective team effort and countless technologies. Martinez is a 2005 MSU industrial engineering graduate who in 2014 completed an MBA with an emphasis in project management.
She said more than 800 contractors and 25,000 jobs in 43 states have had a part in developing SLS, with a $4.8 billion economic impact.
With so many people working together on one project, Martinez said it鈥檚 an example of how many different skill sets and contributions are needed.
鈥淭his mission is huge. We are going to Mars,鈥 she said.
鈥淵our career can take any path that you want, and engineering really opens doors to anything you can imagine,鈥 Martinez added.
Arthur E. 鈥淕ene鈥 Goldman, executive director of Aerojet Rocketdyne鈥檚 Southeast Space Operations Division at NASA鈥檚 Marshall Space Flight Center and a 1977 MSU civil engineering graduate, said continued space exploration has many benefits instore for all mankind. He said technology developments during the Apollo program led to innovations such as the cell phone, and many others.
鈥淭here are so many things which came out of the Apollo program that the payback has been many, many times over. But, no one could have predicted when Kennedy said, 鈥榃e鈥檙e going to the moon,鈥 that there was going to be a payback. As a matter of fact, they weren鈥檛 looking for a payback,鈥 Goldman explained.
Each panelist agreed that the 鈥渟ustained momentum鈥 of today鈥檚 space program has achieved scientific innovations that are paving the way in the journey to Mars. However, the program faces challenges, such as budget fluctuations. But the quest for exploration will continue to drive individuals, NASA, and our country, they said.
Goldman added that as a student he didn鈥檛 give much thought to career planning, but he doesn鈥檛 believe today鈥檚 college students have that luxury. He encouraged them to be open to opportunities that arise.
鈥淎lways be open to new ideas. Always be curious about what someone else does,鈥 he said, adding that unexpected career opportunities will open. 鈥淪tay curious, ask questions,鈥 he advised.
Matthew N. Ramsey, systems analysis lead for SLS at NASA鈥檚 Marshall Space Flight Center and a 1992 MSU aerospace engineering graduate who also earned a master鈥檚 degree in aerospace from MSU in 1993, said 幺力视频 graduates are among the most well-rounded and best prepared engineers.
Hall agreed, but he reminded the student audience, 鈥淭here鈥檚 no job that鈥檚 going to be beneath you. Every piece matters.鈥
E-Week continues at MSU with a bottle rocket competition today [April 7] at 5 p.m. in McCain Hall and a cardboard boat race at 7 p.m. at the Sanderson Center pool.
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