Systems Engineering Seminar

Minotaur-1 Launch of TacSat-2 from the NASA GSFC WFF

Presented by: Jaime Esper /592
Chief Engineer/WFF Minotaur 1 Launch

August 7, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
GSFC Building 3 Auditorium

Abstract:

The Wallops Flight Facility had its first successful land-based orbital flight in 20 years, on December 16, 2006. The Minotaur 1 rocket carried the Air Force Research Laboratory's Tactical Satellite (TacSat) -2 into a 410-km orbit. Jaime Esper, the Chief Engineer/WFF Minotaur 1 Launch, will provide a description of the Minotaur integration activities, the role of systems engineering at the Range, and a few tidbits on how to avoid the big flies at WFF. Jaime will also discuss the performance parameters of the Air Force's Minotaur rocket, a government asset that could help NASA place spacecraft inexpensively in LEO and lunar orbits. This will be an informal presentation to include personal accounts, pictures, and the all-to-be-expected launch video. Questions are encouraged throughout the presentation.

Biography:

Mr. Esper has over 20 years of combined leadership experience in advanced missions and system concepts, spacecraft systems and technologies, instrumentation, and spacecraft operations. He is currently the GSFC SMEX Mission Systems Engineer. Most recently he was the NASA Chief Engineer for the TacSat-2 Minotaur 1 launch from the Wallops Flight Facility, and the Deputy Chief Engineer for the Robotic Lunar Lander Project at MSFC. Over the past five years he has been the Principal Investigator and Research Project Manager for modular and reconfigurable technology at NASA GSFC, with emphasis on interface standards for electrical and mechanical systems. Past fellow of the GSFC Technology Management Office’s Distinguished Technology Fellows Program detailed to the Air Force Research Laboratory (Kirtland AFB), and GSFC Liaison to the DOD Space Test Program. Mr. Esper has worked on numerous Space and Earth Science and Technology flight projects in capacities ranging from Spacecraft Controller (International Ultraviolet Explorer) to Mission Systems Engineer (Space Technology 5). He has participated in numerous Concept Formulation activities, including the Glory Project now in implementation phase. He is a Program Committee member organizing symposia/conferences for the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). Mr. Esper has received numerous awards, including the NASA Medal for Exceptional Service for technology development and mission formulation. Mr. Esper holds a BS degree in Physics, and MS degree in Astronomy from the University of Florida, and an MS degree in Aerospace Engineering from The George Washington University.