Extreme Engineer: Ross Radel
Extreme Engineer Quote
"get involved in many different competitions and clubs such as TEAMS and math and science clubs"
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What He Does
Ross is employed with Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico where he helps to develop and test power conversion units to demonstrate the readiness of fission surface power technology and provide NASA with viable and cost effective options for nuclear power on the Moon and on Mars.
Making a Difference
Ross makes a difference by developing safe and reliable control methods to gain valuable operational experience for NASA.
Why Engineering?
Ross has always had an interest in engineering. As a kid, Ross loved building and taking apart different items around his family farm in Spring Green Wisconsin. Later in high school he was introduced to nuclear engineering through a family friend. "I loved the way that I was able to work to find the solution to the puzzle."
Advice
Ross's advice to any high school student thinking about going into this field is to get involved in many different competitions and clubs such as TEAMS and math and science clubs. Also, make sure to take lots of math and science classes to see if you really enjoy the curriculum.
Hobbies/Free Time
Ross enjoys spending free time with his wife (also a Nuclear Engineer) and their 2 month old son. He enjoys running, playing video games as well as participating in a good game of Frisbee golf.
Education
Ross graduated from River Valley High School in Spring Green Wisconsin in 1999. He then graduated in 2003 from the University of Wisconsin and received his PhD in the spring of 2007.
To read more about Ross go to http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/sep/HQ_08-227_Moon_Power.html and read NASA's press release about the lunar reactor that he is helping to design.
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