SAM Team
SAM Team
Paul Mahaffy
SAM PI
What is your role in the SAM project?
Principal Investigator
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Working with some of the best engineers and scientists on the planet to
make lab-like measurements on the surface of Mars and extend the great
work of the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Several of the mass spectrometer projects described on this webpage.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Play drop in volleyball on Friday evenings at Volleyball House.
Bob Arvey
SAM Electronics
What is your role in the SAM Project?
Electromechanical Technician on SAM, I assemble, test, and sometimes
install flight equipment.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
I have worked on almost every project here in this department since the
1960's.
Michael Barciniak
SAM Electronics
What is your role in the SAM project?
Sr. Electronic Engineering/Instrument Development Technician, ESD Lab
monitor, Swales Task Manager, PC System Administrator, EGSE designer,
Test and Integration.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Electronic System integration.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Cassini INMS, Cassini GCMS, Contour NGMS, ARES Mars Airplane , CHARGE,
SDO, SOLSE.
What kind/level of education do you have?
A.A. Electronic Technology, A.A. Computer Science.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Hmmmmmm... that is a toughie... Vacation.
Ray Bendt
Manufacturing
What is your role in the SAM project?
Make prototype parts for SAM and modify parts that come in.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Always doing something new.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, Cassini, Contour, Nozomi, the Mars airplame, many calibration
systems, etc.
What kind/level of education do you have?
B.S. of Industrial Technology from the University of Maryland
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Garden, play in golf tournaments, and play with my grandchildren.
Lora Bleacher
SAM Education and Public Outreach Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
I lead the education and public outreach (E/PO) team for SAM. I work to provide information about SAM and the Mars Science Lab rover to students, teachers, and the public by writing articles, designing posters and exhibits, making sure SAM is represented at local outreach events, and maintaining this website. Once SAM and MSL are on Mars and we start to receive data, I will work to make sure that this data is accessible by students and the public.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The most interesting thing about SAM is how intricate it is. I find it amazing that 3 highly precise scientific instruments can fit into a space the size of a microwave oven! I also find amazing all of the engineers, technicians, and scientists that have worked so hard to design, build, and test the suite. Their dedication and skill are admirable. What I find the most challenging is also understanding the intricacies of the suite, including the many acronyms that go along with it!!
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
I currently work on the E/PO teams for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, MESSENGER, and Aura missions.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have a M.S. in geological sciences and a certificate in museum studies.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, camping, cooking, and reading.
Oliver Botta
Organic Chemist
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am a member of the science team and am involved in the calibration of
the SAM instrument, for demonstration through analysis of Mars analog
materials and other samples.
The most interesting thing for me is the idea to really build a very unusual GC/MS system from scratch. In particular I like working on the laboratory prototype and learning to how to implement the experiments into the FM. Most Challenging? The very tight schedule until delivery of the instrument.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so, which ones?
Yes, I was involved in the early stages of development of the UREY instrument when it was still called MOD.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Play soccer, the rest of the time is taken by my family.
Dan Carrigan
SAM Mechanical Technology
Click the play button to hear Dan talk about his work with SAM (to download Quicktime, click here).
What is your role in the SAM project?
Assembly of the QMS
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Not much.. Most of the projects I've done were very similar and the job
is routine.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
yes, Contour, Cassini/Huygens, several others.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Strictly trade learning, had a 4-year apprenticeship at NASA.
Mark Cascia
System Engineering
What is your role in the SAM project?
Systems engineer (specifically systems resource budgets (power, data,
consummables, etc.)), system validation, requirements, and operations
concept.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: planetary exploratory mission with remote analytical
cabaility. Challenging: operational conditions vs. resource constraints
(proverbial 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb sack).
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Gallileo, COBE, GRO, HST, SILEX (ESA/CNES), GAS/Hitchhiker, CREAM,
FAISAT Commercial Communications Satellite Constellation.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Masters in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics (University
of Pennsyslvania), Undergraduate degree in Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering (Princeton University)
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Fishing/boating, growing grapes and winemaking.
Rob Chalmers
SAM Thermal Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
Thermal Subsystems Lead
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The thermal requirements and working on the Martian surface are very
different than what I've worked on before
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, Triana (never flew), TRMM, Cobe
What kind/level of education do you have?
BS Mechanical Engineering
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Homegrown projects, messing around with computer stuff
Steve Chaykovsky
Stress Analysis
What is your role in the SAM project? Lead structural analyst
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
To me, the overall mission is the most interesting aspect. I think an
interplanetary mission such as this is the pinnacle of aerospace work,
and I'm happy and fortunate to be a part of it. The opportunity to do
this kind of work is why I became an aerospace engineer.
There are many structural challenges - tight mass budget, material
compatibility issues, extremely limited volume, and not to mention
numerous electrical and plumbing connections which poke holes in our
structure!
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, various missions. Here are a few: Solar Dynamics Observatory
(SDO), GLAST ACD, thermal radiators for the International Space
Station, thermal components for INMARSAT-4/Eurostar 3000, EO-1, Spartan
201-05.
What kind/level of education do you have?
BS in Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Spending time with our new baby daughter. Also, working on my other
huge engineering project - building a house. Unlike SAM, this project
is over budget and behind schedule!
Joelle Cooperrider
Engineering Support/Design
What is your role in SAM proect?
Mostly involved with QMS and a some GPS.
I spend time modeling parts and making handsome drawings of parts.
Oh, and assemblies.
What about SAM do you find the most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: Earth will become that much better aquainted with Mars, albeit so many
million miles away. That, and SAM will have to survive unusual (Martian) conditions
to be successful. The Most challenging would be working with Cindy.
Just kidding....she's the best!
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so which ones?
No.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Bachelors of Fine Arts. Minor in Art History and Physics.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Planning trips and eventually going on them, shopping, PAINTING, reading, making faces
Jamie Demick-Montelara
I&T Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
SAM Calibration Lead, Integration and Test Engineer, Lab Support.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Most interesting is exploring Mars and using the data to decipher the
beginnings of the Solor System. Most challenging is the tight schedule!
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, Cassini Huygens, Contour NGIMS, and the Galileo Probe.
What kind/level of education do you have?
MS in Applied Physics, BS in Geological Engineering.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family.
Tony DiVenti
SAM Reliability Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
SAM Reliability Engineer
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: Everything. Can't identify one particular item.
Challenging: The integration of such a powerful analysis suite into a
single, compact, unit.
What kind/level of education do you have?
BSEE, MSRE (i.e., Masters of Science in Reliability Engineering)
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Spend time with family, watch Ravens football games.
Sharad Dixit
SAM Mechanical Engineer
What is your role in the SAM project?
Lead Engineer Solid Sample Inlet System (SSIT)
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Mars is extremely interesting given its similarity in atmosphere and
formation to Earth. The most challenging aspect of the mission is the
thermal gradient that the instrument goes through. It is one of the
more challenging missions that I have been involved in.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
If so which ones? Started my career with CRAF (Comet Rendezvous
Asteroid Flyby). That mission got cancelled but the effort expended was
utilized towards Cassini. I was the senior instrument design engineer
for the QMS and some other sub-systems including the Ion Sources on
both the instruments (GCMS – Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer and
INMS – Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer). A lot of the instrument designs
for INMS were later leveraged for the CONTOUR mission instrument.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have a Bachelors and Masters in Engineering along with a Masters in
Management.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Spend time with my family and watch the Redskins play.
Michael Dube
Goddard Tribiologist
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am a tribologist from code 541 currently working as a consultant in
tribology with the wide range pump (WRP) for QMS. I interface with the
project and the vendor Creare on WRP topics. I make recommendations for
lubrication and evaluate the test programs for the WRP including
qualification and life testing. I also have consulted on the sample
manipulation system (SMS) for QMS working with the project and Honeybee
Robotics. I also make recommendations regarding lubrication and
evaluate testing and lifetesting proposals.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The SAM project has been a challenge since most traditional space
qualified lubricants affording long life are hydrocarbon based and the
SAM mission ideally would like to avoid hydrocarbon lubricants.
Achieving the goal of long life while satisfying the contamination
requirements has been a challenge.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Since joining NASA GSFC, I have consulted on tribological and chemical
aspects for a variety of projects including, but not limited to
Calypso, SDO, GOES, NPOES, Glory, JWST, as well as work with the NESC,
and consulting with other centers including NASA JSC, NASA MSFC, NASA
GRC, NASA LARC, and JPL.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Brown University, 1993.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I am a Red Sox fan, enjoy the outdoors, and enjoy spending time with my
family.
Jen Eigenbrode SAM Collaborator and Research Scientist
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am research scientist and collaborator of SAM. As a field geologist and organic biogeochemist, I spend most of my time studying organic materials in rocks, especially rocks regarded as Mars analogs. Once MSL lands on Mars, I will participate in SAM operations. In addition, I led the filing of the mixed gas and oxygen cells to be used for calibration and combustion on SAM.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Certainly one of the most interesting aspect of SAM is the folks building SAM. They are incredibly dedicated to making SAM a robust instrument possible. In the bigger picture, I am fascinated by the exploration of the Mars. The SAM instrument suite will allow us to make new observations about the chemistry of martian surface, including whether organic carbon is present in surface materials. This data will providing insight into the geological (and biological???) evolution of our neighboring world and perhaps, shed light on Earth's evolution too. The challenges are learning how to optimize the capabilities of SAM and finding the right samples needed to achieve MSL's science goal to determine the potential for past to present habitats on Mars.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
This is my first experience working with a flight instrument.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Ph.D. in Geosciences
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Whitewater kayaking. Mountain biking. Running along the Potomac River. Spending time with family and friends.
Steve Feng
Electrical QMS
What is your role in the SAM project?
RF Electronic Lead
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
I find SAM science most interesting, everything falling in most
challenging.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, I have worked on the following instruments in missions/projects:
GCMS and INMS in Cassini, NMS in Planet-B, NGIMS in Contour, and NMS in
Ares/HADD2.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Master in Electronics Engineering.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Play soccer.
Heather Franz
Research Analyst
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am a research analyst with the SAM science team. I’m currently
working with the prototype for the GCMS and pyrolysis cell, to
characterize instrument performance and establish
experimental protocols for operations on the Martian surface.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
I think it’s very interesting that SAM is carrying the most advanced
instruments yet sent to Mars to search for signs of life or
habitability. The most challenging aspect has been working
with instrument hardware, which is a new experience for me.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
I joined the SAM team after working for 14 years in mission design and
navigation here at GSFC. I’ve had the opportunity to work on many
interesting missions, especially designing the unique trajectory for
the Wind spacecraft and guiding it through 38 lunar gravity assist
flybys. Other missions on which I’ve worked include Polar, IMP-8, SOHO,
ACE,
Triana, WMAP, and the CGRO controlled reentry.
What kind/level of education do you have?
B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, B.A. in Dance (University of Maryland);
M.S. in Applied Physics (Johns
Hopkins University). I’m currently working toward a
Ph.D. in geochemistry.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I’m still passionate about dance, and I spend as much time as I can
both dancing and attending dance performances in Washington and New
York.
Kirsten Fristad
Research Analyst
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am studying the
organics found in Mars Analogue rocks and I organized the SAM Team
contribution to AMASE 06.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The most interesting and most challenging part of my involvement with
SAM is understanding the organic geochemistry of rocks on Earth and on
Mars. I have had to learn a lot of organic chemistry and it can
be very difficult to make sense of our complex data.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
This is my first mission! I hope I will get the chance to work on
others.
What kind/level of education do you have?
B.A. in Geology and Physics & Astronomy from Macalester College
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I enjoy having dinner parties with my friends, backpacking in extreme
parts of the world and going for leisurely drives in the country.
Danny Glavin
Science/Planetary Protection
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am the Planetary Protection lead for SAM responsible for making sure
that the instrument suite does not contaminate the surface of Mars with
terrestrial microbes. I am also the lead on the SAM derivatization
experiment that will enable the gas chromatograph mass spectrometer to
detect a variety of different organic compounds including amino acids,
carboxylic acids and nucleobases.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
For me, the most interesting aspect of SAM is helping with the
development of the most sensitive organics analyzer that has ever been
flown to Mars. The most challenging aspect of SAM is the large number
of people involved and working with the engineers to find solutions
that balance the science goals with engineering constraints.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
I helped develop the sublimation extraction technique that will be used
by the UREY instrument suite that was selected for the European ExoMars
mission.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Ph.D. in Earth Science
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Piloting small aircraft. I am currently working on my instrument
rating.
Kyle Gregory
SAM Electronics
What is your role in the SAM project?
Design and test of SAM electrical GSE. Write, set-up, and run electrical systems tests. Collect, organize, and analyze electrical test data.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
It is amazing that we can build something so complex in such a short period of time. The entire project is a great challenge. Getting all of the components to work properly, as a unit, and fit inside this little box is very difficult.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Aquarius
What kind/level of education do you have?
BS Electrical Engineering. Pursuing a Masters of Engineering degree.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Soccer, Karate, Softball, Snowboarding, and lots of other fun stuff.
Cindy Gundersen
QMS/GPS Lead Engineer
What is your role in the SAM project?
I’m the Lead Mechanical Engineer on the GPS and QMS subsystems.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
What I find most interesting about SAM is that it’s expected to deliver
so much of the mission science, and yes, this certainly ties into
what’s so challanging about SAM. To accomplish this goal, many
different pieces of scientific instrumentation must be integrated
together and function successfully as a mini laboratory up on Mars,
which is dramatically different then it functioning here on earth. This
takes a lot of careful planning, great communication between all
collaborators, and hard work... all to be done on a very tight schedule
with little room for errors.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
I’ve worked with Code 699 in the past on the Cassini Mission (GCMS and
INMS), Nozomi (Planet-B NMS), and Contour (NGIMS).
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters
degree in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on Space Science.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
My absolute favorite thing to do outside of work is spend time with my
husband, three year old and 8 week old…be it a morning at the beach or
an afternoon walk in the park.
Dan Harpold
SAM QMS Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
Element lead for the Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS) and the Gas
Processing System (GPS). Contracting Officer's Technical Representative
(COTR) on the following SAM contracts: AMU Engineering (mechanical
design for the QMS and GPS components), Autoflow Corp. (pressure
regulator), Kulite Semiconductor Products (Pressure Sensors), Creare,
Inc. (Wide Range Pumps), Aker Industries (flanged-microvalves),
SSAI/Honeywell and Swales (in-house contractor support).
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: Just being able to work on something that will actually be
on the Martian surface. Challenging: Meeting the schedule.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, many many missions, the most recent of which are the
Cassini/Huygens GCMS, the Cassini INMS, and the Galileo Probe mass
spectrometer.
What kind/level of education do you have?
BS in Physics
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I enjoy spending the little time off that I have with my family.
Jerry Hengemihle
Instrument Software Systems Engineer
What is your role in the SAM project?
Instrument Software Systems Engineer, working with Tom Nolan on SAM
Fault Detection and Correction (FD&C), flight software testing and
flight software documentation.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The most interesting is the complexity of the systems and the science. SAM will be an amazing machine! Like nothing I have worked on before. The most challenging is learning the operation and details of all the systems and finding time to do everything that needs to be done.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Missions: EUVE, GRO, SAMPEX, HST Servicing, Landsat, XTE, TRMM, EO1,
STEREO, Instruments: STEREO PLASTIC
What kind/level of education do you have?
B.S. Economics, B.S. Computer Science, M.S. Computer Science -- All
Univ. of Maryland
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Golfing, Fishing, Traveling, Sailing, Hiking.
Debbie Hinkle
SAM Resource Analyist
What is your role in the SAM project?
As the Mission Business Manager for SAM, I am responsible for providing
budget and financial management expertise and developing long-range
plans for the project. This includes the budgeting of workforce.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The thing I find most interesting about the SAM project is the idea
that we will be sampling Martian soil and studying its contents. The
thing I find most challenging on the SAM project is managing the
budget.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
This is my first in-house project and I manage 135 work breakdown
structures (WBS). Before SAM, I spent 3 years on the POES project, 3
years in the Flight Projects Directorate Resources Office, and 2 years
on TRMM.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I started majoring in Business Administration and decided to pursue my
degree at the College of Life where I am a continuing student.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Outside of work, when they actually let me out, I enjoy spending time
with my family, walking, sunbathing, and I am a member of my Church
Council and a High School Youth Group Leader.
Vincent Holmes
SAM Mechanical Engineer
What is your role in the SAM project?
SAM Lead Mechanical
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: The science involved. Challenging: The schedule involved.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
No, none.
What kind/level of education do you have?
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, concentration in product design and
finite element analysis.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Play sports.
Micah Johnson
Flight Scripts
What is your role in the SAM project?
I implement the experiment and test scripts executed on SAM.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
SAM is such a complex instrument that simply understanding how to
operate it is a formidable challenge. Learning the ins and outs of
the instrument and encapsulating that knowledge in readable
scripts for the science team is quite rewarding.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
I co-developed and maintained an automated data archiving system for the
Swift mission.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Bachelor of Science in Astronomy/Astrophysics from Indiana University
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Digital filmmaking, going to concerts, geocaching
James Kellogg
Instrument System Engineer
What is your role in the SAM project?
My official role is the SAM Instrument Systems Engineer. I am a member
of the System Engineering Team.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The most interesting thing about SAM is the science it will perform.
The potential of finding traces of past life on Mars is very exciting.
SAM is also exciting because of the great team of people I get to work
with. SAM is a very challenging because it is a very complex instrument
which needs to fit in a small space using limited mass and power and
operates with extreme thermal and contamination requirements.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
I began my career as a mechanical engineer working on GAS and Spartan
payloads which flew on the Space Shuttle. I then worked on the first 5
Small Explorer Spacecraft built here at GSFC. I also worked as a
systems engineer on the BAT instrument which flew on the Swift Mission.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The Ohio State
University and a MA in Engineering Administration from The George
Washington University.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I like to hang out with my 2 teenage kids, and work on my 100 year old
house. I enjoy bicycling, boating, skiing, and playing guitar. I am
also a member of GSFC Coung Nhu Karate Club. "
Jesse Lewis
SAM Mechanical Engineer
Click the play button to hear Jesse talk about his work with SAM (to download Quicktime, click here).
What is your role in the SAM project?
SSIT Mechanical Engineer
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: The uniqueness of the instrument and the experienced
people who are part of it. Challenging: The complexity.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, CONTOUR.
What kind/level of education do you have?
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, M.S. Mechanical Engineering in progress.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Think about SAM.
Carol Lilly
SAM I&T Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
Integration and Testing Lead
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The prospect of a chemical laboratory on Mars, and knowing I helped in
some small part to get it there. Coordinating communication between
people to facilitate the schedule plan.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, Swift Observatory I&T and launch site planning and scheduling,
and Swift's X-Ray Telescope and Ultraviolet Telescope Schedule
Analysis.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Masters of Science Industrial Engineering - West Virginia University,
A.B.D. (Dr. Sci.) Engineering Management - The George Washington
University
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Vacationing in Riva.
Irving Linares
Electrical Element Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
SAM Electrical Systems Product Design Lead
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: It is a multi-disciplinary, international,
Government-academia-industry consortium working together using modern
electronic communications to design and develop the most advanced Mars
rover spacecraft ever. The quality of the SAM team is unsurpassable.
Challenging: Keeping up with an adaptive, morphing design that has to
be launched by next Mars swing by (2009).
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes: NCC/GN/TDRS voice communications, EO-1, Swift, GLAST ACD, LROC,
SAM.
What kind/level of education do you have?
BSEE - University of Puerto Rico, MS Computer Science - JHU, Ph.D. in
Electrical Engineering - Georgia Tech.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Travel, part-time teaching, outdoor activities."
David Martin
System Engineering Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
Mission Systems Engineer.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Answer to both: The breadth of SAM capabilities.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
A few (quite a few): Landsat-4, -5, UARS, Explorer Platform, HST First
Servicing, TOMS-EP, Landsat-7, GOES Advanced Instruments, GOES N-Q,
CALIPSO, LISA.
What kind/level of education do you have?
MSEE.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Play tenor sax.
Doug McLennan
SAM PM
What is your role in the SAM project?
Project Manager
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The scope and extent of what is going to be done on Mars by the SAM
suite. The technical capability of SAM and the schedule that we have
represent the single biggest challenges on this development.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, Project manager on the ST-5 Project, Deputy project Manger on the
GOES Project, Observatory Manger and Instrument Systems Manager on the
EOS Aqua Project, Instrument Manager on the Mars Observer Project.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have a Ph.D. in Physics.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Cook, read and be with my family.
Kristen Mihalka
SAM Research Scientist
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am a research scientist. Currently I am working to calibrate the pyrolysis cell and GCMS data. The specifics of my role though are fairly malleable.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
I am a scientist not an engineer. With SAM I am experiencing just how much hard work goes into a mission from the engineering side. It<92>s impressive! I joined the mission effort fairly late in the game so picking up the acronyms along with understanding what has been done thus far is the most challenging.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
This is my first and loving every moment!
What kind/level of education do you have?
B.S. in Atmospheric Science. I am currently working on my PhD in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Science from the University of Michigan.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Traveling, photography, dancing, and trying to cook.
Carol Mosier
SAM Thermal Design Engineer
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am a thermal design engineer on the SAM project. As such I<92>ve built analytical models, performed analysis, specified thermal hardware/coatings, conducted subsystem thermal tests, and created documentation specifying heater/sensor installation. I am currently planning/organizing the suite level bake-out and TV/TB testing.
What about SAM so you find most interesting? Most challenging?
SAM is such a challenging instrument for a thermal engineer. Some of the challenges have been (1) learning new software for analysis to account for the Martian atmosphere/gravity, (2) high temperature effects/design, and (3) trying to design such small components.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so which ones?
I've worked at Goddard for twenty-five years. I<92>ve worked on many projects including: COBE (both spacecraft and instruments), UARS, SHOOT, SIRTF, ASTROE-1 (XRS), ASTROE-2(XRS2), CIRS, JWST, LISA, SMEX-Lite, TRACE, WIRE, MAP, ST-5, and LRO (LOLA). I also teach a thermal design course for the newer thermal engineers at Goddard.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
What are your favorite things to fo outside of work?
My favorite thing to do is play with my baby granddaughter, Ana. I also love to do crafts and teach. Along with several other NASA engineers, I volunteer my time to help teach a graduate level spacecraft design course at the University of Maryland.
Tom Nolan
Flight Software Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
Flight Software Lead
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
I've created the flight software for many research projects, including
instruments on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the ISTP
Windspacecraft, and the soon-to-be-launched STEREO mission, as well as
a number of balloon campaigns.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Of course, there is no life outside of SAM, but if there were, I would
be doing more rock climbing and more orienteering competitions. Oh, did
I mention, I was grinding away as a corporate lawyer in a big downtown
law firm when I was recruited to lead the SAM flight software effort?
After that experience, every day on SAM is like another holiday.
Kiran Patel
Software
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am a member of software team to support the development of Lab
and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) programs.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The complexity of SAM instrument and developing Lab and GSE software to be used during
the I & T and during Flight Software development.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
XTE, SWIFT/BAT. I have developed flight and Ground Support
Equipment software to
handle telemetry and commanding for Gamma-Ray and hard X-Rays Scientific Balloon instruments.
What kind/level of education do you have?
B.S in Electrical Engineering (India),
M.E in Electrical Engineering (NCSU),
M.S in Computer Science (JHU).
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Traveling, walking, reading, watching classical movies and spending time with my family.
Benny Prats
Thermal Systems
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am responsible for design, test and integration of thermal hardware such as heaters and temperature sensors on the instrument.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The most interesting aspects for me are the tests performed to assure the thermal hardware adequately conditions and maintains high temperatures of the gas in the gas transfer system. The most challenging is overcoming obstacles that prevent these systems from performing to requirements.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
At NASA GSFC I worked on HST, IBEX, TIROS, AQUARIUS, GLORY, LOLA, EOS, LANDSAT.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have a BS in Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, 1978. And I have taken numerous post graduate courses at Penn State University and University of Maryland.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I like to spend time with my family, dancing, barbeque and enjoy the outdoors.
Jonathan Prince
Lead Designer
What is your role in the SAM project?
Lead Designer
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The different requirements for Mars most challenging? Figuring out how
to get everything inside the box!
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
THEMIS, HST Robotics servicing, HST Solar Array Structure and TRMM
Structures
What kind/level of education do you have?
some college
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Camping with my family, hunting and hiking
Eric Raaen
Lab Software
What is your role in the SAM project?
I provide software support for electronics, sensor testing and
calibration, and flight software validation. I am also involved in QMS
design and responsible for QMS tuning.
What about SAM do you find most interesting?
Interesting: Developing a sample handling system capable of
concentrating samples enough to make trace molecules detectable. Most
challenging? The schedule.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Cassini INMS, Cassini/Huygens GCMS, Nozimi NMS, Contour NGIMS.
What kind/level of education do you have?
M.S. in Chemistry, with minor in Computer Science.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Whitewater Kayaking, Astronomy, Pool.
Oren Sheinman
SAM Mechanical Lead
What is your role in the SAM project?
Lead Mechanical for SAM
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: The diverse science involved and the fact that this is a
mars mission. Challenging: mechanically packaging the system.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, Cobe, XTE, Swift, Image, E-O1, Constellation-X, etc.
What kind/level of education do you have?
BS in Aerospace Engineering
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Bicycling, boating, and scuba diving.
Dave Sheppard
SAM Mech Board Designer
What is your role in the SAM project?
SAM Motor Controller designer
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: The SAM instrument is truly spectacular in both it's
complexity and the approach to acquistion of science data - it's a neat
gizmo. Challenging: Finding something even more outrageous and
insubordinate to write on next month's PowerPoint slides (I would have
thought I hit the limit before, but the bar is fairly low here ...)
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments?
GLAST/ACD, ARES HADD-2, Mars 2001 Odyssey GRS, Swift BAT, Mars 96 GRBM,
WIND TGRS, XTE PCA, STS-35 BBXRT
What kind/level of education do you have?
MSEE.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Go hiking with my wonderful wife.
Jim Smith
In-House Microvalve Designer
What is your role in the SAM project?
I am the Lead Engineer for the In-House Microvalves.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Interesting: The fact that we will be able to perform such complex
analyses that I normally associate with laboratory work in an
instrument suite that will be sent to Mars. Challenging: The level of
complexity in the plumbing and the wiring in such a confined space.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
This is my first flight mission.
What kind/level of education do you have?
I have a Bachelors Degree in Aerospace Engineering.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I love to travel.
Florence Tan
SAM Electrical Systems
What is your role in the SAM project?
Electrical Systems Engineer
What about SAM do you find most interesting?
Interesting: Getting all the players and pieces to play together. I love
my job because there is a new wrinkle to solve everyday. The job is fun
because it is interesting and challenging. The people who support SAM
are great co-workers that have many varied interests besides being
superb engineers, scientists, and specialists. Contrary to the public
view of nerdy engineers and scientists, we have among us accomplished chefs, divers, pilots, lawyer, master woodworkers, kayakers as can be
seen by each person's "favorite things" question. Working with the
A-team makes working on SAM a lot of fun and never boring. Challenging:
Building SAM within time and budget (mass, cost, power, volume)
constraints and getting everyone to work together. It's like herding
cats sometimes. Just ask Carol Lilly.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Yes, ISTP/WIND instruments, Cassini INMS & GCMS, Contour NGIMS.
What kind/level of education do you have?
BSEE, MSEE, MBA.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I like to yoga, cook, garden, read, and swim. When I am not busy on SAM,
I teach a lunchtime yoga class for my fellow SAM-ites. I can't get Bob
Arvey to join the class -- YET. I also volunteer teach Asian Cooking
(Thai, Malaysian, Chinese, Fusion) as a fund-raiser activity once a
year. I like to read any book by Bill Bryson (I have almost all his
books) and books about the English Language.
Inge Loes ten Kate
Research Associate
What is your role in the SAM project?
What about SAM do you find most interesting?
Except for the fact that it will be actually going to the surface of
Mars and trying to find all kinds of highly interesting organics? My
personal challenge is to shed some light on the 'behaviour' of methane
in the atmosphere, and except for being able to simulate it in the lab,
also provide directions to what SAM should look for.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Flight instruments? None.
Proposed Flight instruments: I was/am partly involved in a miniaturised
XRD proposed for ExoMars and in the Dutch contribution to the Life
Marker Chip, also proposed ExoMars.
What kind/level of education do you have?
MSc Aerospace Engineering
PhD Astronomy / Planetary Science / Astrobiology
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Rowing, ice speed skating (which will be difficult in this part of the
country without any 400m ice-rinks), running, touristing around in the
US, reading, cooking and too many other things I don't have time for.
Louis Thomas
SAM System Assurance Manager
What is your role in the SAM project?
Systems Assurance Manager/QA - I'm the SAM on SAM.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
Making it work and delivering it on time.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Astro-E2, MLCD, GOES.
What kind/level of education do you have?
BS Electrical Engineering, MS Engineering Management.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Playing, having fun and competing with my daughter Gwen.
Synthia Tonn
SAM mechanical engineer/plumber
Click the play button to hear Synthia talk about her work with SAM (to download Quicktime, click here).
What is your role in the SAM project?
SAM mechanical engineer/plumber.
What about SAM do you find most interesting?
Most interesting is the careful work by the planetary protection and contamination teams to avoid contaminating Mars, as well as avoiding contamination in our instrument package. Of course the planet should be affected as little as possible, which is not something that would automatically come to mind for me when I think of Mars mission considerations. Most challenging is coordinating among the various subsystems <96> mechanical, electrical, thermal, instrument, etc. <96> to find and implement the <93>best fit<94> solution that fulfills our various requirements. Each group approaches the task with a different priority and a different perspective, which oftentimes are at odds with one another, and it can be difficult to find the appropriate compromise that satisfies everyone for any given task.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
YSolar Dynamic Observatory (SDO), as a co-op.
What kind/level of education do you have?
SB Aero/Astro
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Cycling, puzzles, reading, music, building stuff, cooking, hiking.
John Westberg
Project Support
What is your role in the SAM project?
Administration, Property, Shipping, and Safety.
What about SAM do you find most interesting? Most challenging?
The complex science involved.
Have you worked on other missions or flight instruments? If so
which ones?
Pioneer Venus, Galileo, Cassini, Huygens.
What kind/level of education do you have?
Masters Degree
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Woodworking