OT: Space, Bitches. Space - UM Prof name head of NASA Science Directorate
https://science.nasa.gov/thomas-zurbuchen-named-head-nasa-science-missi…
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has named Thomas Zurbuchen as the new associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, effective Monday, Oct. 3. Zurbuchen is a professor of space science and aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Never had him for a course, but Prof. Zurbuchen helped with our aero senior project back in '05... so it was pretty exciting to see him receive this appointment.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:08 PM ^
September 28th, 2016 at 12:14 PM ^
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September 28th, 2016 at 12:09 PM ^
We also have UM alums at key positions within the Space Launch System (SLS) program:
> One works in the lead/chief engineer's office.
> Two more work as both the lead developers for the prelaunch and ascent mission timelines, respectively.
> Yet more helped lead development of the Orion spacecraft. (The first launch of Orion back in December 2014 contained a UM flag onboard. It was the only collegiate flag that flew.)
September 28th, 2016 at 12:32 PM ^
There's another UM alum working as the program lead for the SLS solid boosters.
We're pretty good at space.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:38 PM ^
"We're pretty good at space."
Jabrill Peppers would like to agree with that statement...
September 28th, 2016 at 1:05 PM ^
September 28th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^
Lauri Hansen, Aero alum, is head of the engineering directorate here at JSC.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:16 PM ^
I see more satellite camp tie-ins in the future.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:31 PM ^
I wonder if this is somehow connected to that post about 6 threads down on the ranking of public universities in the US.
I'm guessing nobody from University of Nebraska was under consideration for the post.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^
A Nebraska grad will be heading up the Pigs in Space initiative.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:32 PM ^
Go Blue!
September 28th, 2016 at 12:34 PM ^
Oh, there's also CYGNSS, a NASA mission going up later this year with a UM prof as principal investigator.
Prof. Dahm (now at ASU) was the chief scientist of the Air Force.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:03 PM ^
Chris Ruf is the professor. I worked on it a bit while in grad school.
Don't forget alumni...Professor Len Fisk was once chief scientist at NASA and was the last person to see Hubble before it launched.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^
Cool story - thanks for posting. When i was in high school in the early 80s I had a chance to meet Charles Bolden. He was (I believe) the first African-American astronaut, and was speaking both on campus and at my high school in connection with Black History Month. I asked to do a quick interview for the high school paper, and instead was invited to shadow him all day both on campus and my school. As a kid who grew in the 70s fascinated by astronauts this was exciting (plus I got to miss school). Anyway, Bolden was a great guy back then and obviously knows how to appoint the right people at NASA. Congrats to Prof Zurbuchen.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^
September 28th, 2016 at 1:11 PM ^
Now, to begin with, I recognize this is probably a fault, but I DO NOT get the appeal for either of these shows. Seriously; Firefly was pretty mediocre (though it did have potential) and Flight of the Conchords couldn't make me laugh if they tickled me with feather.
September 29th, 2016 at 7:44 AM ^
your whore mouth will be stapled, stitched, glued, and welded shut.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^
Too bad we have to hitchike rides from the Russians to get up there now though.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:09 PM ^
for a "UM Grads do it in Space" shirt.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:16 PM ^
The former Chief Scientist of NASA, Kathie Olsen, is a big football fan and sits near me in the Big House.
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September 28th, 2016 at 4:37 PM ^
September 28th, 2016 at 8:33 PM ^
Nice accolade to have, and congrats.
September 29th, 2016 at 1:34 AM ^
There are more than 30 U-M graduates that have been or are currently employed by SpaceX in their Hawthorne, CA Headquarters
The Michigan Aerospace Engineering department celebrates its 103rd anniversary, making it the longest-running university aerospace program in the country.
September 29th, 2016 at 5:39 AM ^
on the moon. I have no idea why. I say that's where the Chesson-McDoom race should take place, Any thoughts, or am I alone on this one?