REMOTE TECH TALK: Mobile Apps for Mars with NASA Software Developer Kurt Leucht

NEOACM (Northeast Ohio ACM) and George Mason University Libraries are sponsoring a remote tech talk on "DEVELOPING MOBILE APPS FOR MARS" by Kurt Leucht, a NASA Software Developer.

• Date: January 22, 2023
• Time: 6:00 to 7:00 PM EDT
• **Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/e2awudec**
• Meeting ID: 963 2077 4523
• Passcode: 836526

How does your Mobile App stack up to software running on Mars?

Mobile app developers and other software developers typically take great pride in their final products. But how does the onboard software for a Mars rover, for example, compare to a good mobile app or business app? Is it simple and easy to use? Is it efficient? What platform does it run on? How does it typically perform? Is it secure? Does it work offline? What language is it written in? Is it supportable and upgradable? What kind of statistics are collected? Is it designed with the user in mind? How is it developed and tested? This presentation will explore all these questions and more in an effort to understand the similarities and the major differences between typical business software and software that is designed for the NASA Mars rovers.

About Kurt Leucht, NASA Software Developer

Kurt used to be quiet and shy as a child. But he found his voice along with his passion while working in the NASA Swamp Works lab on software for robots and other systems that could someday help us live off the land on Mars during manned exploration missions. He started at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center 31 years ago as a young college intern and then graduated to electronics failure analysis investigator. Then he worked as a software developer and tester for several command and control systems and advisory systems. Now he performs exploration research and technology development for NASA. That’s tech-speak for preparing the way for humans to live on Mars!

Experience

Kurt enjoys speaking to all ages and abilities from grade school students to colleges and professionals. Kurt can speak at all technical levels from chatting with after school clubs and user groups, to keynotes at professional conferences.

Kurt speaks regularly on the following topics:

• Robotic exploration of the Moon and Mars
• NASA's plans to send human missions to the Moon and then to Mars
living off the land on the Moon or on Mars, or in-situ resource utilization (ISRU)
• Swarming robotics and biologically-inspired robots
• NASA KSC Swamp Works lab projects and capabilities
• NASA's intern program

Recent speaking engagements:

INTERVIEWS:
• Lunar Pilot Excavator Interview: NASA Edge 2021, remote interview from home

• Swarmie Interview: NASA Great American Teach-In 2016, KSC Florida

TED-STYLE TALK:
• I Chose Curiosity: NASA Launching Leaders 2020, KSC Florida

ROBOTICS PRESENTATIONS:
• Meet Kurt Leucht Interview: FIRST Robotics Competition 2019, Tampa Florida

• Mars Robot Presentation & Activity: Cool Minds Knowledge Center 2017, Malmo Sweden

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER'S CONFERENCES:
• ISRU Story Keynote: OreDev 2017, Malmo Sweden

• Software on Mars Technical Talk: OreDev 2017, Malmo Sweden

• Swarmie Technical Talk: DevDay 2016, Krakow Poland

Social Media Links:
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtleucht

Agenda:
(Times are Eastern Standard Time)
6:00 - 6:05 PM EST - Introduction
6:05 - 6:45 PM - Presentation
6:45 - 7:00 PM EST - Q&A
Note: Please RSVP.

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