, a NASA flight engineer who became known as “Mohawk Guy” after sporting a mohawk hairstyle during the 2012 rover Curiosity’s landing on Mars, spoke to a class of 91̽»¨ aeronautics and astronautics engineering students on Feb. 19. Ferdowsi was a student in the department and graduated from the 91̽»¨in 2001.
Ferdowsi’s popularity skyrocketed online after the mission controller’s hairstyle became an unexpected icon of the historic Mars landing. He still works at NASA’s where he helps with the rover’s day-to-day operations as well as a new project involving Europa, a moon of Jupiter. He spoke to 91̽»¨Today and 91̽»¨Engineering while on campus.
Q: You have worked on the Curiosity mission from its early days in 2003 through the present. What has that experience meant for your career?
I went in with the approach and mindset that I have this unique experience. I’m going to learn what it is to see a mission go from concept to operations. Even for the people who have done a mission like this before, nothing really prepares you for the emotional experience when you actually land. It’s amazing to feel a part of something so much bigger than yourself.
Q: Why did you choose the 91̽»¨and aerospace engineering?
I knew I wanted to do engineering and science, and I had a general inclination toward experimental physics or aerospace engineering. When I was applying, I was looking for schools that were good in those fields and had departments in those areas.
Q: What advice do you have for students interested in space research?
My advice is definitely do it. It’s a lot of fun. I think there are very few kinds of work where you get that unique sense of camaraderie. There’s a chance to work with people on a goal where you have to get this thing done, and you have to work together to do it. Ultimately, it’s really satisfying because you can take a lot of pride in your work and share your work with the world.
Q: What are the implications of discoveries on Mars for the lay person?
I think one unique thing that the Mars mission and other missions do is they bring us together as a planet. It’s kind of a uniquely human experience. We feel that human drive to understand what else there is and what greater things we can do.
Q: Best part of this publicity surge?
Meeting people has been fantastic. I get so much joy and energy and renewed excitement about my job when I get to share it with people and see their excitement. It’s kind of infectious.
Q: With your newfound fame, what message do you hope to communicate to others?
Mostly, I want younger generations to realize there is this opportunity to be yourself and to be an engineer or a scientist and not feel like there’s some cultural mold that everyone has to fit into. In fact, if you look at the Curiosity mission – rappelling on a jetpack down to the surface of Mars – that actually takes creative, audacious types of people. We want that sort of creativity that individuals bring to the table.
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