Software Engineer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Quy joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as an intern in 1991 while he was still a student at Cal Poly and signed on shortly after getting his Bachelor's Degree. He first worked on the Cassini to Saturn, developing ground support equipment software for the CDS (Command Data Subsystem). He also designed software for the Spirit and Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover mission and also on software for use on Curiousity, the next-generation Mars rover.

What advice can you offer to young scientists or engineers?
Enjoy what you do. Don't rush through things. Understand what you learn, don't just go through the motions. Be curious and keep learning! Don't give up!

What are your personal goals for the future?
Hopefully, one day I will be able to lead a team of software engineers working on a NASA space exploration mission. If NASA ever wants a volunteer person to go to Mars, I'm there! Achieve the highest rank, yodan (5th degree black belt) in Shotokan Karate one day.

What are your dreams for the future of exploration?
Hopefully, one day, we are able to travel to different planets easily.

What is the most fascinating thing about the Mars Exploration Rovers mission?
Landing the rovers on Mars successfully!

What's the most challenging part of your job?
There were times that I spent days trying to find out the software problem and there was no progress. I kept at it and eventually found and fixed the problem.

What is unique about your job?
Developing software that are flying in space and running on different planets.

What's the most extraordinary experience you've had so far on this mission?
Working with great people.

When you were in elementary school, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to do many things, but the two things that I wanted to do most when I grew up was to become an astronaut or a fighter pilot.

What excites you about about space exploration?
I really love finding out what exists on other planets. It is also a stepping stone for humans to eventually be able to explore/travel to other planets in search of other beings.

Do you have any hobbies?
I love to do many things. I'm into all kind of sports (basketball, volleyball, ping pong, pool, badminton, and karate). I'm currently concentrating on karate. I also go offroad, skiing and camping with my family from time to time.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?
There were a few of us on the Mars Exploration Rover flight software team who promised to go sky diving if the rovers successfully landed on Mars. We did it.

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