TECH KEEDA

BOB BALARAM , an IIT-Madras alumnus from the 1975-80 batch, is Ingenuity's chief engineer. He studied B.Tech, Mechanical Engineering at the prestigious institute. After IIT-Madras, Bob Balaram did his MS, Computer and System Engineering from America's oldest technological research university Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and also completed his PhD from the institute. The Apollo Moon landing mission had developed his interest in space and science. Bob Balaram is now working with Nasa at its Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a Chief Engineer for Mars Helicopter Scout Project. He has been associated with Nasa for 20 years. Previously, Bob researched precision landing methods for Mars and also worked on advanced simulation techniques for planetary entry, descent, and landing (EDL). While working with Nasa, Bob Balaram also led the team that developed a high-fidelity EDL simulator. The simulation was used in Curiosity and Perseverance rover missions. TECHNICAL DETAILS :      Ingenu