robogungt8

Thank you for doing this AMA! I have a couple questions if its not too much trouble:

1. What was the reasoning behind using a skycrane system to land rather than the airbag landings of previous rovers?

2. What was one of the largest challenges you faced when designing or operating the rover?

3. As a college student, what can I do to get involved in NASA and engineering for space exploration in general?

4. Other than for navigation and creative self-promotion, what was the reasoning behind writing "JPL" with the wheels? Wouldn't it have been more accurate/easier to navigate by just using specified distances as wheel markings rather than a message?

Thank you so much for your response and I wish your team continuing luck on the mission.

I am an incoming colleges freshman pursuing aerospace engineering. In an effort to be prepared for the real world when I graduate, I'm looking to learn how to use software that is prevalent in the industry. What kinds of software do you use to design and simulate at NASA?

Very interesting to hear about the radar. Congratulations on your achievements and I hope to get an internship in the coming years. Thank you.

I am an incoming colleges freshman pursuing aerospace engineering. In an effort to be prepared for the real world when I graduate, I'm looking to learn how to use software that is prevalent in the industry. What kinds of software do you use to design and simulate at NASA?