NASA STEM Stars: Launch Vehicle Trajectory Analyst | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Philip Hargrove, a launch vehicle trajectory analyst at Kennedy Space Center, shares his career journey and the exciting projects he has worked on at NASA.

Key Insights

• 👾 Philip's interest in space and NASA began at a young age through attending space camps and learning about planets and rockets.
• 🚀 His role as a launch trajectory analyst involves ensuring rockets are on the correct path during launches.
• 😤 Philip has worked on missions such as the Mars 2020 rover launch and collaborates with different teams at NASA.
• 🧑‍🏭 Launch trajectory analysis involves considering various factors such as speed, direction, atmospheric constraints, and control mechanisms.
• 🔨 Tools such as GMAT, FreeFlyer, STK, Excel, and MATLAB are used in trajectory analysis and calculations.
• 🚀 Working at NASA offers unique experiences, such as witnessing rocket launches and being part of a team dedicated to space exploration.
• 🥰 Philip's favorite planet is Jupiter, and he would love to visit one of Jupiter's moons, Europa.
• 💦 The homework assignment for students is to design and track a rocket, sharing their work using the hashtag #NextGenSTEM.

Transcript

stem fans are you ready let's hear it for the world world-class nasa stem stars team from nasa centers across the country we present phillip hargrove [Applause] welcome to our 32nd edition of nasa's stem stars webinar i'm your host lynn dotson an education specialist at kennedy space center and joining us today is philip hargrove a launch vehicle t... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Philip to pursue a career at NASA?

Philip has always been fascinated by space and NASA, with a specific interest in learning about planets. He was inspired to work at NASA after taking an orbit mechanics class in college and realizing his passion for understanding the path of rockets.

Q: What is the role of a launch trajectory analyst?

A launch trajectory analyst is responsible for ensuring that rockets are on the correct path to their intended destination. They consider factors such as speed, direction, atmospheric constraints, and control mechanisms to ensure a successful launch.

Q: What tools does Philip use as a launch trajectory analyst?

Philip uses trajectory analysis tools such as GMAT, FreeFlyer, and STK to calculate and analyze rocket trajectories. He also utilizes Excel and MATLAB for data processing and numerical calculations.

Q: Is working at NASA fun?

Yes, working at NASA is incredibly exciting. Philip enjoys the launch day excitement, witnessing rocket launches, and being surrounded by a team of passionate individuals. The variety of projects and constant learning opportunities make it a fun place to work.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Philip Hargrove is a launch vehicle trajectory analyst at Kennedy Space Center.

• He has always been interested in space and attended space camps as a child, sparking his passion for NASA.

• Philip has worked on various missions, including the Mars 2020 rover launch, and collaborates with different teams to ensure rockets are on the right trajectory.