|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
In-Situ Instruments Laboratory
The In-Situ Instruments Laboratory has a "Mars Yard" with rocks, soil and lighting comparable to Mars. Landers and rovers can be tested to ensure that they can navigate across planetary surfaces and that
their on-board sensors and computers will steer them safely with little or no human guidance. The presenting engineers for this part of the tour were Sara Gavit and Jeniffer Trosper.
Sarah Gavit has both a Bachelor and Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Early in her career, she worked as a mission and system engineer for the Magellan Spacecraft (which obtained a radar map of Venus) and as the Fault Protection System Engineer for the Cassini Spacecraft (which arrived at Saturn in 2004). Sarah's career has also included serving as the Project Manager for the Deep Space 2 Mars Microprobe Mission, and as the Associate Manager of NASA's Interstellar and Solar Sail Technology Program. Sarah is currently the Project Manager for Dawn, a mission scheduled to launch in 2006 toward the main asteroid belt to explore the baby planets Vesta and Ceres.
Jennifer Harris Trosper
Jennifer A. Harris was born in Fostoria, Ohio on August 1, 1968.
In 1986 graduated from Elmwood High School in Jerry City, Ohio.
From 1986 - 1990, did undergraduate work in Aerospace Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in music.
From 1989 - 1990, worked in M.I.T.'s Space Systems Laboratory researching force-reflecting hand controllers for space vehicle use.
From 1990 - 1993, worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a power subsystem engineer on advanced project design. Also worked on the development of Cassini spacecraft Ground Software requirements.
From 1993 - 1994, worked as a teacher in Sevastopol, Ukraine teaching English and Bible to High School and Business School students.
From 1994 -present, working on Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Southern California.
From 1994 - 1998, returned to JPL and led Mars Pathfinder Attitude and Information Management Subsystem (AIM) operations development. She also led the Mars Pathfinder Surface Operations Test program and was Flight Director for Pathfinder's first day on Mars.
From 1998 - March 1999, worked on the Mars 2001 Project as the lead System Engineer for the Mars 2001 Rover and Robotic Arm.
March 1999 - September 2000, Mars 2001 Operations System Development Manager. Responsible for the development of Operations capabilities for the Mars 2001 Lander, Orbiter and Rover vehicles. Also responsible for the Payload Integrated Test Program for the Mars 2001 mission.
September 2000 - Present, Project System Engineer for the Mars Exploration Rover Spacecraft.
Jennifer coaches and plays volleyball and enjoys backpacking, bicycling, traveling, and playing the piano. She is also involved in her church, leading house building projects in Mexico and other community service activities.
Jennifer's awards include: 1998 Kilby Foundation Young Innovator of the Year, NASA Individual Achievement Award for Mars Pathfinder Operations, and MIT Academic All-American Volleyball player. She has been the keynote speaker for conferences such as the 1998 Intel International Science Fair, 1998 Space Simulation Conference, Singapore Defense Organization, Girl's Math and Science Conferences, and has been invited to the White House on two occasions for recognition of her team's her work on the Mars Pathfinder mission.
+ Next Location (Observational Instruments Laboratory)
|
|
|
|
|
