MLAS Resident Engineer Program Theo Muench MLAS Resident

MLAS Resident Engineer Program Theo Muench MLAS Resident Engineer January 12, 2009

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 (La. RC) – Theodore Muench (GSFC) – Terrian Nowden (GRC) – Sarah Quach (KSC) – Jerry Sterling (GSFC/WFF) – Omar Torres (La. RC) Max Launch Abort System 2

Resident Engineer Program Unique opportunity for direct, ongoing 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 3

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 4

Propulsion Team Propulsion Resident Engineer – Propulsion Instrumentation – Specify, procure, integrate, test, post process data – Design, analyze, manufacture flight instrumentation brackets – MK 70 rocket static test fire – BKN 03 Igniter test fire Miscellaneous tasks – Hand layup of carbon fiber airfoils – Flight Operation (launch control) 5

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 6