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Space Flight and Quality Assurance

This is a past event.

Thursday, April 25, 2019, 4 pm

This is a past event.

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker Series

proudly presents:

Mitch Nelson

Jet Propulsion Lab, NASA

Abstract: Quality is the secret weapon to the success of programs, companies, and missions. Many times seen as the last line of defense against an unwanted result, quality stands more so as the guiding principles of high intention, intelligent direction, and skillful execution. The principles of quality assurance are not considered overly complex; however, they can differ from common sense and common practice. In other words, Quality isn’t Rocket Science, but it isn’t inherent either.

Space Flight creates an added challenge to quality assurance. Common quality concerns in automotive and other terrestrial commodities can be reviewed and repaired after detection. In Space Flight, particularly unmanned missions, a quality event is more likely to result in a loss of mission without the opportunity to investigate the problem. Moreso, with typically only one spacecraft, there is only one there is typically only one chance to make it right.

This seminar will explore quality assurance fundamentals as it applies to space flight applications and how JPL, in particular, approaches those challenges. Building off the experience gained from industries including aircraft, oil & gas, and heavy machinery; it will also compare those same practices to other industries to build up a foundation of their importance. Attendees can expect to hear about simple day‐to‐day quality assurance tools that will help enhance any project or process regardless if it is heading to Mars or staying at home.

Bio: Mitch Nelson graduated from Michigan Tech in 1995 with a BA in Metallurgical Engineering. He currently works in Procurement Quality Assurance at Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), a NASA Center based in Pasadena, CA focused on unmanned planetary exploration. While initially working in foundries and materials engineering roles, he entered into the Quality Engineering & Management field while at Cessna Aircraft Company as part of the Supply Chain Quality team. During this time, he chaired and vice‐chaired the Nadcap Heat Treat Task Group, governed to manage the quality of aerospace heat treat processors. Following the Deepwater Horizon incident, he was part of a team brought into BP Exploration – Alaska to help develop supplier quality management on Alaskan’s North Slope. He held the role of North American Quality Manager for Bodycote Ltd before accepting his current position at JPL.

In addition to his positions in quality management, Mitch also has held American Society of Quality (ASQ) certifications in Certified Manager of Quality & Operating Excellence (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), and Certified Quality Auditor (CQA). He has presented at the Alaskan ASQ Quality Seminar and the NASA Academy of Aerospace Quality (AAQ) Workshop. Mitch is originally from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

Invited by: Greg Odegard

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