Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) presented five members of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Science Team – the folks who brought the Curiosity Rover to Mars last summer -- on the floor of the California Assembly today.
"From humble beginnings in an empty lot near La Canada Flintridge, JPL has grown to become the leading space exploration research facility in the world," said Holden. "Now more than 60 years later, these extraordinary scientists helped make a heart-stopping and technically pitch-perfect landing on Mars -- the beginning of the Curiosity rover's exploration of the Red Planet."
The five space engineers honored today are Adam Steltzner, manager of entry, descent and landing; Danny Lam, who led the flight software team; Jennifer Maxwell who worked on missions operations; Justin Maki who led the team that built the navigation and hazard avoidance cameras and Kelly Clarke who supported the building, testing, launch and cruise to Mars.
Caltech, which is in the 41st Assembly District, operates JPL and its mission to Mars. Holden is also co-hosting a luncheon for the scientists for legislative members and staff on Tuesday. Space enthusiasts can get up and close and personal with the Curiosity Rover on the West steps of the Capitol.
CONTACT: Wendy Gordon, 626-720-3409