Geeks in space

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return of the geeks

The impression of the given by the story is that these dot-com multi-millionaires started in IT or related computing fields, and then found that space would be really, really interesting and in their reach.

After doing some light background checks on some of these folks, another rationale came to me. Some of these folks may have started in engineering or hard science, with the intention of doing aerospace, but then the bottom fell out of the industry.

Such was the case of famed UNIX author, the late Richard Stevens. He got his degree in aerospace engineering as Apollo was winding down, and then switched to systems engineering and ultimately to UNIX computing. (He continued to do computing in astronomy.)

Jim Benson, whose company SpaceDev, provided the engine to SpaceShipOne, has a background in geology and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) subcommittee on Near Earth Object Impact Prevention and Migitation. He is also a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and a private sector representative on a NASA panel.

John Carmack is also an AIAA member. I haven't figured out his original background, except that he must have had incredibly good math skills. He was responsible for pioneering fast 3D kinematics to conventional PCs. Kinematics is key to aerospace guidance and control. Small wonder that he is into the embedded controls of a throttlable rocket.

Burt Rutan, of course, is an AIAA member. (As are Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, etc. ... Oh yeah, me too, but not under the name "asky.")

Posted by: asky   Posted on: 10/07/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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