MLAS Resident Engineer Program

Theo MuenchMLAS Resident EngineerJanuary 12, 2009

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The Resident Engineers

Pilot program for junior engineers

10 engineers across agency

– Gary Dittemore (JSC)

– Geminesse Dorsey (JSC)

– Joe Grady (GRC)

– Samantha Manning (KSC)

– Samuel Miller (LaRC)

– Theodore Muench (GSFC)

– Terrian Nowden (GRC)

– Sarah Quach (KSC)

– Jerry Sterling (GSFC/WFF)

– Omar Torres (LaRC)

Max Launch Abort System

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Resident Engineer Program

Unique opportunity for direct, on-going interaction between MLAS residents, NASA Technical Fellows, and Apollo-era veterans

Limited scope and short duration of the MLAS project provides rare systems engineering experience

“Skunk Works” nature of the project provides an opportunity for increased autonomy and risk

Resident Engineer Experience

Group was responsible for instrumentation on test flight

Each Resident Engineer was designated to a sub-team

- Theo Muench – propulsion

- Jerry Sterling - aerodynamics

Fast pace, duration of project, and size of team allowed for other experiences in multiple engineering disciplines

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Propulsion Team

Propulsion Resident Engineer

– Propulsion Instrumentation

– Specify, procure, integrate, test, post process data

– Design, analyze, manufacture flight instrumentation brackets

– MK70 rocket static test fire

– BKN03 Igniter test fire

Miscellaneous tasks

– Hand layup of carbon fiber airfoils

– Flight Operation (launch control)

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Lessons Learned

• MLAS provided a one of a kind experience that cannot be taught

• “Walked the path” of engineering responsibility

• Each engineer participated as a systems engineer

• First hand look at project management decision making process

• Return to centers with new set of transferable skills