(2023 June 10) Waterproof Spacecraft - Why the Ocean Preps for Deep Space Exploration

Dr. Andrew Klesh

Lunar Trailblazer Project Systems Engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Dr. Andrew Klesh is a mission architect and the Lunar Trailblazer Project Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Previously, he served as the chief engineer for MarCO, the first two interplanetary CubeSats, which successfully flew by Mars in 2018. He is also technical lead of several teams which use extreme environment robots and instruments to explore the deep ocean and ice-water interfaces in arctic, Antarctic, and glacial terrains. Prior to JPL, he served as a postdoctoral fellow at JAXA. He has multiple degrees from the University of Michigan (BSE EE, BSE Aero, MSE Aero, MEng Space Systems, PhD Aero), is working on a masters in geology/geophysics, and served as postdoc and chief engineer of Michigan’s Radio Aurora Explorer mission. He was awarded the 2020 AIAA Engineer of the Year and NASA's Exceptional Engineering Medal for his work on MarCO.

Andy is an active EMT and a captain of JPL’s Urban Search and Rescue team. He is an instrument rated private pilot, and previously volunteered on the California Science Center’s scuba dive team. Currently, he volunteers at the USC/Wrigley Hyperbaric Chamber and with the Pasadena Fire Department as an emergency responder. As a lecturer at Caltech and adjunct professor at Arizona State University, he teaches Space Systems, Electronics for Space Applications, and Macgyver Engineering. In his spare time he enjoys tinkering, mountaineering, backpacking, and adventure racing.

Tentative Agenda: (All Time PDT)

10:00 am: Check-in, Networking

11:00 am: Welcome and Introduction

11:10 am: Presentation and Q&A

12:40 pm: Networking

01:30 pm: Adjourn.

02:00 pm: Meeting Room closes. Leave by 2 pm.