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ARMENIAN ENGINEERS & SCIENTISTS OF AMERICA
417 Arden Ave #112C, Glendale CA 91203, USA
Tel: 818-547-3372
Web: http://www.aesa.org/
Presents
Rockets, Balloons, and Rope
The development of the MSL sky-crane landing system
By
Ted Iskenderian
Tuesday May 25, 2010, 7:30 pm
THE ARMENIAN SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES
320 W. WILSON AVENUE SUITE 107
GLENDALE CA 91203
Abstract
Several methods of terminal-descent landing on planets have been
conceived and attempted in the history of the space program. This
presentation will begin with a history of methods developed first for
Moon landings by both Russian and U.S. spacecraft, and then adapted
for Mars landings. The three significant methods of terminal descent
control are: rocket propulsion braking, airbags, and the new sky crane
method used on MSL. The unique problems of descent survival for
Earth, Moon, and Mars landings will be compared. The application of
terminal descent methods to Mars landings for JPL robotic space
missions will follow, with special attention focusing on the latest
MSL mission.
About the Speaker
Ted Iskenderian is a mechanical engineer with experience in designing,
manufacturing, inspection, and testing of mechanical hardware. He
holds an Associate Degree in Manufacturing Technology from Don Bosco
Technical Institute in Rosemead, CA, and a BS in Mechanical
Engineering from California State Polytechnic University of Pomona.
Ted has worked at JPL for over twenty-five years, and has been
involved in many flight projects in that span of time. He served as
Cognizant Engineer or Technical Manager for the Galileo Linear Boom
Actuator, Pathfinder Reactionless Gimbal Actuator, TOPEX/Poseidon
Solar Array Drive Assembly, Cassini Rocket Engine Gimbal Actuator, TES
filter wheel actuator, and the Mars Exploration Rover Lift Mechanism.
He is now the Technical Group Supervisor of the Actuators and
Mechanisms group in JPL's Instrument Mechanical Engineering section.
Ted has written three papers for the 28th Aerospace Mechanisms
Symposium; one documents lessons learned in potentiometer testing,
another recounts the hardware development effort for the Cassini
Engine Gimbal Actuators; and another the development of the Rover Lift
Mechanism.
Ted has maintained an interest in appropriate technology and human
powered devices for third-world societies since college. His senior
project at university was the development of an air pressure-driven
water pump for third world conditions. He traveled to North Africa
and Uganda in the 1990s representing Lifewater International, a
Christian relief and community development agency.
Ted is a co-inventor on United States patent No. 5,026,008 belonging
to NASA. This invention comprises a fluid-loop reaction device for
orienting and controlling the attitude of a free body in space.
AESA Lecture Series
The lecture series presented by The Armenian Engineers and Scientists
of America are open to the public and free of admission charge. The
lectures are related to Scientific and/or Engineering topics.
417 Arden Ave #112C, Glendale CA 91203, USA
Tel: 818-547-3372
Web: http://www.aesa.org/
Presents
Rockets, Balloons, and Rope
The development of the MSL sky-crane landing system
By
Ted Iskenderian
Tuesday May 25, 2010, 7:30 pm
THE ARMENIAN SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES
320 W. WILSON AVENUE SUITE 107
GLENDALE CA 91203
Abstract
Several methods of terminal-descent landing on planets have been
conceived and attempted in the history of the space program. This
presentation will begin with a history of methods developed first for
Moon landings by both Russian and U.S. spacecraft, and then adapted
for Mars landings. The three significant methods of terminal descent
control are: rocket propulsion braking, airbags, and the new sky crane
method used on MSL. The unique problems of descent survival for
Earth, Moon, and Mars landings will be compared. The application of
terminal descent methods to Mars landings for JPL robotic space
missions will follow, with special attention focusing on the latest
MSL mission.
About the Speaker
Ted Iskenderian is a mechanical engineer with experience in designing,
manufacturing, inspection, and testing of mechanical hardware. He
holds an Associate Degree in Manufacturing Technology from Don Bosco
Technical Institute in Rosemead, CA, and a BS in Mechanical
Engineering from California State Polytechnic University of Pomona.
Ted has worked at JPL for over twenty-five years, and has been
involved in many flight projects in that span of time. He served as
Cognizant Engineer or Technical Manager for the Galileo Linear Boom
Actuator, Pathfinder Reactionless Gimbal Actuator, TOPEX/Poseidon
Solar Array Drive Assembly, Cassini Rocket Engine Gimbal Actuator, TES
filter wheel actuator, and the Mars Exploration Rover Lift Mechanism.
He is now the Technical Group Supervisor of the Actuators and
Mechanisms group in JPL's Instrument Mechanical Engineering section.
Ted has written three papers for the 28th Aerospace Mechanisms
Symposium; one documents lessons learned in potentiometer testing,
another recounts the hardware development effort for the Cassini
Engine Gimbal Actuators; and another the development of the Rover Lift
Mechanism.
Ted has maintained an interest in appropriate technology and human
powered devices for third-world societies since college. His senior
project at university was the development of an air pressure-driven
water pump for third world conditions. He traveled to North Africa
and Uganda in the 1990s representing Lifewater International, a
Christian relief and community development agency.
Ted is a co-inventor on United States patent No. 5,026,008 belonging
to NASA. This invention comprises a fluid-loop reaction device for
orienting and controlling the attitude of a free body in space.
AESA Lecture Series
The lecture series presented by The Armenian Engineers and Scientists
of America are open to the public and free of admission charge. The
lectures are related to Scientific and/or Engineering topics.