NASA STEM Stars: Satellite Engineer - Webb Space Telescope

TL;DR

Satellite engineer Kenny Harris shares his NASA journey and work with Webb Telescope.

Transcript

• STEM fans! (upbeat music starts) Are you ready? Let's hear it for the world-class NASA STEM Stars team. From NASA centers across the country, we present Kenny Harris. (upbeat music continues) - Yay! Welcome to the show, Kenny! How are you today? - Thank you. Thank you, how are you? I'm fantastic! I'm doing great,
• I'm doing awesome. - thank you ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💗 Kenny Harris started as a high school intern at NASA and has grown into a satellite engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center.
• 🖐️ Mentorship has played a crucial role in Kenny's career development and success at NASA.
• 🤵 Clean rooms are vital in satellite engineering to maintain a sterile environment for sensitive instruments.
• 👂 Kenny's achievements, such as being featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, highlight his contributions to the field of aerospace engineering.
• 👾 The James Webb Telescope's ability to look back in time demonstrates the advanced technology used in space exploration.
• 👨‍🔬 Networking and collaboration are essential in building efficient satellites and achieving research goals.
• 👾 Projects like Artemis Generation and lunar gateway offer exciting opportunities for future space exploration.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Kenny Harris get started working at NASA?

Kenny began as a high school intern in the High School Internship Program after meeting someone from the Goddard Space Flight Center at a camp.

Q: What is the significance of a clean room in satellite engineering?

A clean room is essential in satellite engineering to ensure a sterile environment free of contaminants that could affect sensitive instruments and data collection.

Q: What is the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and why was Kenny Harris featured on it?

The Forbes 30 Under 30 list recognizes individuals under 30 who are excelling in their fields. Kenny was featured for his work on integrating electronics components to the James Webb Telescope.

Q: How does the James Webb Telescope achieve its goal of looking back in time?

The telescope utilizes infrared imaging to observe stars as they were when their light originated, accounting for the time it takes light to travel through space.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kenny Harris, a satellite engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, shares his journey from high school intern to working on projects like James Webb Telescope.

• He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his career development.

• Kenny discusses his work in project management, outreach activities, and his father's influence on his career.