Over 70 students attended the Women\u2019s Journey to Mars online Zoom event where NASA systems engineer Christine Louie spoke to LBCC students about her role, on March 22, as part of the Women\u2019s History Month line of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event was hosted by LBCC physical science professors Loredana Vetere and Amy Fredericks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c(Space exploration) helps us learn more about the universe around us…and that helps us learn about our own planet,\u201d said Fredericks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Louie works for NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) located in Pasadena, California. She joined the Mars 2020 mission team in 2019, serves as part of the System Verification and Validation group, and is part of the Operation Mission Assurance Management group.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Louie\u2019s primary role in the Mars 2020 mission was in preparation and leading operational readiness tests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mars 2020 team rehearsed their roles multiple times during the operational readiness tests and practiced a stressful scenario in which the spacecraft experienced technical difficulties.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Louie said that the tests ensured that the team was well prepared for any potential troubles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want to iron out all the kinks prior to landing, so by the time landing day comes, everything is smooth,\u201d said Louie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mission\u2019s rover, Perseverance, and new demo helicopter, Ingenuity, were both manufactured at JPL. Perseverance and Ingenuity were then both launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on July 30, 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was such a great day, because of the pandemic we were able to watch from home. I had my entire living room set up and all the decorations behind me on the walls,\u201d said Louie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spacecraft took seven months to successfully land on the surface of Mars on February 18. Louie discussed the seven minutes of terror that led up to the spacecraft\u2019s confirmed landing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The seven minutes of terror refers to the spacecraft\u2019s entry, descent, and landing on Mars\u2019 surface. \u201cThroughout that seven minutes, we\u2019re waiting to see if we\u2019ve touched down or not,\u201d said Louie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mars 2020 used a brand new landing technique for the mission, called terrain relative navigation. With this technique, the spacecraft can sense rocky areas and is able to find a soft spot to land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ingenuity is set to take its first flight within the upcoming weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re flying a helicopter on Mars, and if this works, this is the start of a new beginning. The next couple of weeks are going to be very, very exciting. It blows my mind that we were able to do this,\u201d said Louie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Louie plans to continue to work for the Mars 2020 mission for the next few years. She is currently transitioning to a new position as mission assurance manager at JPL, and is looking forward to participating in NASA\u2019s upcoming projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOut there is all the unknown. I want to make history. I want to be there. I want to work on something that will help us get to Mars and live on Mars someday,\u201d said Louie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are humans, it’s in our DNA. We want to explore…we need to know our place in the universe,\u201d said Vetere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NASA\u2019s Mars 2020 mission is ongoing, and the Perseverance rover is currently roaming the surface of Mars to collect samples and capture photographs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n