Bobak Ferdowsi

Aerospace Engineer and Stem Advocate

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

Bobak Ferdowsi, born on November 7, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American aerospace engineer renowned for his contributions at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and later Tokyo, Japan, Ferdowsi’s early exposure to diverse cultures and environments shaped his global perspective. His fascination with space was ignited in 1997 when he witnessed the successful landing of the Pathfinder mission on Mars. This pivotal moment inspired him to pursue a career in space exploration.

Ferdowsi earned his Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Washington, where he conducted research under Nobel Laureate Hans Georg Dehmelt. He furthered his education with a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), focusing on product development strategies in evolutionary acquisition. In late 2003, he joined JPL, embarking on a journey that would see him play integral roles in several high-profile missions.

At JPL, Ferdowsi served as a science planner on the Cassini–Huygens mission, contributing to our understanding of Saturn and its moons. He gained widespread recognition as the Flight Director for the Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity rover landing in 2012. His distinctive mohawk hairstyle during the televised event captured public attention, earning him the affectionate nickname "Mohawk Guy." This moment highlighted the evolving, dynamic culture at NASA, showcasing a new generation of engineers passionate about space exploration.

Beyond his mission roles, Ferdowsi has been involved with the Europa Clipper project as a systems engineer, aiming to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa and assess its potential habitability. As of 2018, he took on the role of Fault Protection lead for the NISAR mission, a joint Earth observation project between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). His work continues to bridge the realms of engineering and science, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the cosmos.

Ferdowsi’s engaging personality and commitment to public outreach have made him a prominent advocate for STEM education. He has appeared on various media outlets, including serving as a sideline reporter for the sixth season of BattleBots and making a cameo in the television film "Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!" In 2024, he appeared as a fictional mission director in the series "3-Body Problem." Through these endeavors, Ferdowsi strives to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, perseverance, and diversity in the pursuit of knowledge.