Science

Indian-Origin Bob Balaram Behind Nasa’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter’s Historic Flight

By
OB Bureau

Chennai: Nasa’s ambitious miniature robot helicopter Ingenuity became the first powered flight on another planet when it took flight above the dusty surface of Mars on Monday. In the entire process, one Indian-origin engineer Bob Balaram was involved as the chief engineer. Balaram has been working with Nasa for 20 years.

Ingenuity Mars helicopter is the first such powered, controlled flight by an aircraft over the surface of another planet. Nasa marked it as a 21st-century Wright Brothers moment with this on Monday, reported India Today.

IIT-Madras alumnus from the 1975-80 batch, Bob Balaram is the chief engineer of the Ingenuity. He did B.Tech, Mechanical Engineering at the IIT-Madras.

Bob Balaram studied MS, Computer and System Engineering from the USA’s oldest technological research university, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He completed his PhD from the same institute.

His interest in space and science was developed by the Apollo Moon landing mission.

The IIT-Madras alumnus is currently working at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for Mars Helicopter Scout Project as a chief engineer.

Bob previously researched precision landing methods for Mars besides working on advanced simulation techniques for planetary entry, descent, and landing (EDL), the report said.

He also led the team that developed a high-fidelity EDL simulator while working with Nasa.

ALSO READ: Odisha School Students Design Mars Rover For NASA Challenge

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Vedanta Expands Its ‘Swarna Prashan’ Drive In Odisha’s Rayagada & Kalahandi

Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Aluminium has expanded its ‘Swarna Prashan’ initiative, an Ayurveda-based immunisation drive, to over…

November 22, 2024

Justin Trudeau Govt Denies Linking PM Modi, Jaishankar & Ajit Doval To Criminal Activities In Canada

Ottawa: The government in Canada, led by Justin Trudeau, on Friday denied linking Prime Minister…

November 22, 2024

Two Sisters Consume Poison In Odisha’s Boudh, One Dead

Bhubaneswar: A woman died while her younger sister is battling for life after an alleged…

November 22, 2024

Achyuta Samanta Conferred Lifetime Achievement Award At 43rd World Congress Of Poets

Madurai: Founder of KIIT, KISS, and KIMS, Achyuta Samanta has been honoured with Lifetime Achievement…

November 22, 2024

3 Bikers Die, One Critical After Being Run Over By Truck In Odisha’s Koraput

Koraput: Three persons died while one was seriously injured after a truck rammed into a…

November 22, 2024

Waqf Bill, 14 Others Listed For Winter Session Of Parliament

New Delhi: The BJP-led NDA government will introduce 15 bills, including one to amend the…

November 21, 2024

Newborn Sold In Odisha’s Balangir Traced To Raipur Hospital In Chhattisgarh

Bhubaneswar: A newborn baby, who was allegedly sold by her parents in Odisha's Balangir district,…

November 21, 2024

Two More Exit Polls Predict A Mahayuti Win In Maharashtra Elections; Check Here

Mumbai: Exit polls have given Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance an edge in the neck-to-neck…

November 21, 2024