NASA Glenn Academy 2005

NASA Academy 2005
Glenn Research Center
2005 GRC Academy Home

Marshal Blessing

Resident Assistant - NASA Glenn Academy 2005
Marshal.A.Blessing@grc.nasa.gov

Experience:

I had a fantastic experience in the NASA Ames Academy last summer, learning and making friends. I performed research on real-time, physically accurate computer simulations of Mars rovers, under the guidance of PI Dr. Jeffery Smith.

One of my main scientific interests is robotics. I performed undergraduate research in the Mechatronics Laboratory at Clemson University two years ago. My work involved biologically inspired robotics, specifically manipulators mimicking trunks and tentacles. I found the subject gripping, and it led to a research paper that I presented in Sydney, Australia last summer.

Since then I have traveled to Vancouver, CA for the Space Generation Congress and MIT where I presented posters at the SEDS National Conference. Recently I also earned my private pilot license. I am hoping it will facilitate future travels.

Education:

I graduated from the University of Central Florida in April 2004, where I majored in Computer Engineering. For my senior design project, I worked with engineers from NASA and the Florida Space Institute on designing the control system for a satellite to test a Microwave Electro-thermal Thruster. However, such academic endeavors kept me very busy. Perhaps that is why I have also developed a fascination with modern physics and time travel. I find I can always make time for studying such topics.

Extra-curricular Activities:

In my spare time, I like relaxing with friends and watching horror films. Unfortunately, not all of my hobbies can be as intellectually stimulating. I am a fan of board games, especially chess. I am also an art enthusiast, and enjoy photography and drawing. Athletically, my interests do not extend beyond billiards.

I plan on eventually earning an advanced degree in either computer technology or in physics, but first I want to gain some experience in the aerospace industry. I look forward to the challenge of starting a NASA Academy at the Glenn Research Center. It cannot be any more difficult than space travel, something else I aspire to experience in the future.