UD researchers test Orion spacecraft

‘NASA Mohawk Guy’ to discuss Mars mission. First test launch Thursday

Bobak Ferdowsi, a NASA engineer who became an Internet sensation for sporting a Mohawk during live coverage of the Mars rover Curiosity’s landing in August 2012, will make several public appearances next week in the Dayton area.

Ferdowsi, aka “NASA Mohawk Guy,” will present “Mars and Beyond: Curiosity and the Future of NASA” at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Oakwood High School Auditorium, and 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Officials said Ferdowsi will discuss what inspired him as a child, what it took to make the Curiosity mission happen, and what Curiosity has found since it landed on Mars.

Ferdowsi, 35, is a member of the mission engineering team on the Europa Clipper study at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He previously served in a number of engineering positions on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity mission, as well as science planner on the Cassini mission. In addition, he served as flight director during Curiosity operations.

Last year, Ferdowsi took part in President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, where he was seated in Michelle Obama’s box to highlight the president’s call for more visas for skilled immigrants in the fields of math, science and engineering.

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