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…