Adam SteltznerAdam Steltzner

Adam Steltzner

Explorer of the Solar System, student of human nature, engineer, writer & speaker.

Adam Steltzner is a NASA engineer who works for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). He worked on several flight projects including Galileo, Cassini, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Exploration Rovers (MER). He was the lead engineer of the Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity rover EDL phase (Entry, Descent and Landing), and helped design, build and test the sky crane landing system.

The media has portrayed Steltzner as a “rock and roll” engineer. NPR’s Morning Edition said “he has pierced ears, wears snakeskin boots and sports an Elvis haircut,” while the EE Times called him “a bit of a hipster” and a “new breed of engineer” who is media savvy.

Philosopher's Notes on Adam Steltzner's Books

The Right Kind of Crazy
LockedPhilosopher's Notes

The Right Kind of Crazy

by Adam Steltzner

Adam Steltzner is the right kind of crazy. How else do you figure out a sky crane to drop a rover on Mars? (Hah.) In this book, he walks us through "A true story of teamwork, leadership, and high-stakes innovation." Big Ideas we cover include the power of holding on to the doubt (#HOTTD!), embracing the Dark Room, working out and shopping at Radio Shack on Mars.

Quotes by Adam Steltzner

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