![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/bravemen.org\/BravemenBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/mike-clark.jpg\" "\\"Mike")
<\/a><\/dt>\nFrom a professional perspective, I was a manager for several diverse teams at Kennedy Space Center (20+ years) including Simulations, Math Modeling, and AI software development. In 2001, I became the first Shuttle Data Center System Architect. My experience is in designing and producing aerospace measurements systems and was a practicing marine systems engineer. In my youth, I performed 50 Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster at-sea retrievals and did salvage operations using remotely operated robots for Space Shuttle Challenger. I have designed several rocket assembly and disassembly devices that make it possible to safely stack solid rocket motors. My career started as the electrical design lead for a NASA underwater robot and progressed to marine operations where I participated in the design and later operation of three ocean research vessels (Liberty, Freedom, and Independence). I left Kennedy Space Center as a Launch Processing manager of 42 highly technical professionals. <\/span><\/p>\n In 2003, I joined CMU\u2019s \u201cRed Team\u201d, a collection of students, research scientists, and sponsors to develop an autonomous robot racing machine capable of driving itself 250 miles in the desert.<\/span><\/p>\n I led the Mapping and Planning teams that enabled the robot racer to win pole race position and travel further and faster than the competition. I contributed as a senior system engineer for both the DARPA Desert and Urban Challenges. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Past employers have been SEEGRID Corporation, Harris Corporation, United Space Alliance, Lockheed-Martin, Morton-Thiokol, United Technologies, and Planning Research Corporation. Yup, I am that old.<\/span><\/p>\n I am an alumnus of CMU\u2019s MSE program and have been an adjunct instructor since 2004. I am the long-time instructor for David Wettergreen\u2019s distance course, Real Time Systems. I also mentor students through the Architectures course when asked. I also hold degrees from Florida Institute of Technology and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.<\/span><\/p>\n From a personal perspective,\u00a0I discovered Dr. Bickel’s Friday 6:30 Bible studies through Nancy Lee Cochran. She recommended the group because she attends Bruce’s Thursday lunch study in downtown Pittsburgh. I went to Taylor Alderdice H.S. and was Mr. Rodgers’s Post Gazette paper boy in the early seventies.\u00a0I returned to Pittsburgh after helping America’s Space program at Kennedy Space Center. Thank you Bruce and God Bless the Brave Men of Friday Mornings.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"