Bobak Ferdowsi#Media appearances and NASA advocacy
{{Short description|NASA flight engineer (born 1979)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bobak Ferdowsi
| image = Sarah Worthy and Bobak Ferdowsi at SpaceUp Houston 2012 cropped.jpg
| caption = Ferdowsi at SpaceUp Houston in November 2012
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| birth_date = {{nowrap| {{birth date and age|1979|11|07}} }}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| education = American School in Japan
University of Washington (BSc)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MSc)
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{{infobox engineering career
| discipline = Flight engineer
| employer = Jet Propulsion Laboratory
| significant_projects = Cassini–Huygens
Mars Science Laboratory
| significant_design =
| significant_advance =
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Bobak Ferdowsi ({{langx|fa|بابک فردوسی}}, {{IPA|fa|baːˈbæk feɾdoːˈsiː|pron}}; born November 7, 1979) is a flight engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He served on the Cassini–Huygens and Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity missions.
Ferdowsi gained brief media fame in August 2012 when, sporting a distinct mohawk hairstyle, he was repeatedly visible on camera during the televised Curiosity landing. His appearance became an iconic image of the event with coverage in the news and social media; even President of the United States Barack Obama commented on the popularity of "Mohawk Guy".{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/13/us/mars-rover-curiosity-obama/ |title=Mars rover mission's 'Mohawk Guy' inspires Obama |work=CNN |first=Elizabeth |last=Landau |date=August 15, 2012 |access-date=September 24, 2014 |archive-date=August 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803050338/http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/13/us/mars-rover-curiosity-obama |url-status=live }}
Life and career
Ferdowsi was born November 7, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.{{cite thesis |url=http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/82704 |title=Product Development Strategies in Evolutionary Acquisition |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |first=Bobak |last=Ferdowsi |date=2003 |page=5 |hdl=1721.1/82704 |access-date=August 15, 2012 |type=Thesis |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403013725/http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/82704 |url-status=live }} He is of Persian descent;{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/08/nasa-mohawk-guy-bobak-ferdowsi-meme |title=What made 'Nasa Mohawk Guy' such a successful meme? |work=The Guardian |first=Kate |last=Miltner |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2016 |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709052241/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/08/nasa-mohawk-guy-bobak-ferdowsi-meme |url-status=live }} his father immigrated to the United States from Iran. His parents met in college.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/10/nasa-mohawk-man-bobak-fer_n_1763681.html |title=NASA Mohawk Man, Bobak Ferdowsi, Talks Mars |work=The Huffington Post |date=August 10, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022024743/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/10/nasa-mohawk-man-bobak-fer_n_1763681.html |url-status=live }} He was inspired to work in the space sector by his high school teachers and his love of science fiction, including Star Trek and the works of Arthur C. Clarke.{{Cite web |url=https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/people/2661/bobak-ferdowsi/ |title=Bobak Ferdowsi: Systems Engineer |publisher=NASA/Science Mission Directorate |access-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111163441/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/people/2661/bobak-ferdowsi/ |url-status=live }} Soon after birth he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he stayed until age 11, then moved to Tokyo in 1991, where he attended the American School in Japan, graduating in 1997.
The same year, he enrolled at the University of Washington where he majored in aerospace engineering, a childhood dream. While there he did research under Nobel Laureate Hans Georg Dehmelt in the Department of Physics. In 2001, he enrolled at MIT and joined the Lean Aerospace Initiative where he stayed until 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pub/bobak-ferdowsi/8/768/2a9 |title=Bobak Ferdowsi |publisher=LinkedIn |access-date=August 14, 2012}}
Ferdowsi joined JPL in late 2003, and worked on the Mars Science Laboratory mission through its successful landing nearly nine years later on August 6, 2012.{{cite news |url=http://whatstrending.com/breaking/8903-exclusive-meet-nasa-s-mohawk-guy-bobak-ferdowsi |title=Meet NASA's Mohawk Guy, Bobak Ferdowsi |work=What's Trending |first=Shira |last=Lazar |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709052244/https://whatstrending.com/8903-exclusive-meet-nasa-s-mohawk-guy-bobak-ferdowsi/ |url-status=live }} He was a science planner on the Cassini–Huygens mission,{{cite web |url=http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/scientistforaday8thedition/target1/ |title=Bobak Ferdowsi: Science Planner Engineer |publisher=NASA |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116195151/http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/scientistforaday8thedition/target1/ |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} See also [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnSA3xzrh-w YouTube version] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302122251/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnSA3xzrh-w |date=March 2, 2017 }}. and is involved with the Europa Clipper as a systems engineer.{{cite news |url=http://observer.com/2015/12/nasa-mohawk-guy-looks-for-life-on-jupiters-moon/ |title=NASA 'Mohawk Guy' Looks for Life on Jupiter's Moon |work=Observer |first=Michael |last=Sainato |date=December 14, 2015 |access-date=July 30, 2016 |archive-date=August 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827195141/http://observer.com/2015/12/nasa-mohawk-guy-looks-for-life-on-jupiters-moon/ |url-status=live }}
{{As of|2018}}, Ferdowsi is Fault Protection lead on the NISAR joint Earth observation mission at Jet Propulsion Laboratory.{{Cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bobak-ferdosi-we-are-far-more-similar-than-different_us_59e614d0e4b04e9111a3e50a |title=Bobak Ferdosi: We Are Far More Similar Than Different |work=The Huffington Post |last=Memarian |first=Jahandad |date=October 17, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403094248/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bobak-ferdosi-we-are-far-more-similar-than-different_us_59e614d0e4b04e9111a3e50a |url-status=live }}
Media appearances and NASA advocacy
File:Bobak Ferdowsi during MSL landing (201208050020HQ).jpg's successful landing on Mars.]]
Ferdowsi became a media sensation when, during the August 6, 2012 landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars, he wore a mohawk hairstyle that was seen on NASA TV's live broadcast of the event.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/08/nasa-mohawk-guy-bobak-ferdowsi-meme |title=What made 'Nasa Mohawk Guy' such a successful meme? |work=The Guardian |first=Kate |last=Miltner |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709052241/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/08/nasa-mohawk-guy-bobak-ferdowsi-meme |url-status=live }} He was seated in a prominent camera position and his mohawk unexpectedly became an iconic image of the landing.{{cite web |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/08/07/meet-bobak-ferdowsi-nasas-mohawked-engineer/ |title=Meet Bobak Ferdowsi, NASA's Mohawked Engineer |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 7, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811061117/http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/08/07/meet-bobak-ferdowsi-nasas-mohawked-engineer/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/06/bobak_ferdowsi_adam_steltzner_nasa_s_mars_rover_curiosity_team_includes_a_mohawk_guy_.html |title=Forget the Nerdy Image: Mars Rover Curiosity Team Includes "Mohawk Guy" and Former Rock 'n' Roller |work=Slate |first=Torie |last=Bosch |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=August 6, 2012 |archive-date=August 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807002552/http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/06/bobak_ferdowsi_adam_steltzner_nasa_s_mars_rover_curiosity_team_includes_a_mohawk_guy_.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/08/the-curiosity-landing-already-has-a-meme-nasas-mohawk-guy/260733/ |title=The Curiosity Landing Already Has a Meme: NASA's 'Mohawk Guy' |work=The Atlantic |first=Megan |last=Garber |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814193624/http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/08/the-curiosity-landing-already-has-a-meme-nasas-mohawk-guy/260733/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=199102676 |title=Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! |publisher=NPR |date=July 6, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2013 |archive-date=July 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720113416/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=199102676 |url-status=live }} Ferdowsi explained that he wore a new haircut for every mission and the mohawk was chosen by his team by popular vote.{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-mohawk-man-guy-mars-bobak-ferdowsi-curiosity-jpl-20120809-story.html |title=Curiosity: Meet 'Mohawk Guy,' Mars mission's Internet sensation |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Amina |last=Khan |date=August 9, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=April 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411093356/http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-mohawk-man-guy-mars-bobak-ferdowsi-curiosity-jpl-20120809-story.html |url-status=live }}
When President Barack Obama called to congratulate the team, he noted the popularity of the "Mohawk Guy", saying "it does seem NASA has come a long way from the white shirts, dark-rimmed glasses, and pocket protectors. You guys are a little cooler than you used to be."{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/obama_msl_081312.html |title=President Obama Calls to Congratulate Curiosity Team |publisher=NASA |date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615122858/http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/obama_msl_081312.html |url-status=dead }} Ferdowsi said in another interview that he did it to help lighten the seriousness of the workplace and "If my mohawk gets a few more people excited about science and this mission, that's awesome."
Ferdowsi took part in the Second inauguration of Barack Obama in January 2013, marching in the parade alongside other NASA scientists and replicas of Curiosity and the Orion spacecraft, as part of the agency's official Presidential Inaugural Weekend.{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/19329-obama-inauguration-nasa-mohawk-guy.html |title=NASA's 'Mohawk Guy' to March in Obama's Inaugural Parade |work=Space.com |first=Miriam |last=Kramer |date=January 18, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2013 |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120150405/http://www.space.com/19329-obama-inauguration-nasa-mohawk-guy.html |url-status=live }} Ferdowsi also took part in Obama's State of the Union address on February 12, 2013, where he was seated in First Lady Michelle Obama's box "to highlight President Barack Obama's call for more visas for skilled immigrants in the fields of math, science and engineering."{{cite web |url=http://www.scpr.org/blogs/politics/2013/02/11/12501/jpl-mars-rover-flight-director-mohawk-guy-gets-inv/ |title=JPL's 'Mohawk Guy' to sit with First Lady at State of Union |publisher=Southern California Public Radio |first=Kitty |last=Felde |date=February 11, 2013 |access-date=February 11, 2013 |archive-date=August 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823103736/http://www.scpr.org/blogs/politics/2013/02/11/12501/jpl-mars-rover-flight-director-mohawk-guy-gets-inv/ |url-status=live }}
Ferdowsi appeared on the sixth season of BattleBots as a sideline reporter.{{cite web |url=http://abc.go.com/shows/battlebots/cast/bobak-ferdowsi |title=Bobak Ferdowsi: Sideline Reporter |publisher=ABC |access-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626110033/http://abc.go.com/shows/battlebots/cast/bobak-ferdowsi |url-status=live }} Ferdowsi appeared in a cameo role in the 2015 television film Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! He is an advocate for the space sector and appears in several events that link arts and sciences.{{Cite news |url=https://www.space.com/40740-science-of-the-expanse-cast-panel.html |title=Fizzy Beer and Exploding Heads: Actors Tell How 'The Expanse' Keeps It Real |work=Space.com |first=Douglas |last=Messier |date=May 30, 2018 |access-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709052242/https://www.space.com/40740-science-of-the-expanse-cast-panel.html |url-status=live }} He is active on social media, using Twitter to make the public more aware of the lighter side of science.{{cite news |url=http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/jpl-engineer-breaks-the-internet-again-after-posting-nasa-bathroom-sign-on-twitter/ |title=JPL Engineer Breaks the Internet (Again) After Posting NASA Bathroom Sign on Twitter |work=Pasadena Now |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621065920/http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/jpl-engineer-breaks-the-internet-again-after-posting-nasa-bathroom-sign-on-twitter/ |url-status=live }} In 2024, Ferdowsi appeared as a fictional mission director in 3 Body Problem.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18347118/fullcredits |title="3 Body Problem" Wallfacer |work=IMDb |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330030033/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18347118/fullcredits |url-status=live }}
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See also
- Adam Steltzner, lead engineer of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover Entry, Descent and Landing phase
- Anita Sengupta
- David Y. Oh
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{xsn | tweetsoutloud }}
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Category:American aerospace engineers
Category:American people of Iranian descent
Category:American School in Japan alumni
Category:Engineers from Philadelphia
Category:Internet memes introduced in 2012
Category:Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni
Category:People from the San Francisco Bay Area
Category:University of Washington College of Engineering alumni