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Michael "Clark" was the manager for several diverse teams at the Kennedy Space Center for more than 20 years including simulations, math modeling and Artificial Intelligence software development. In 2001 he became the first Shuttle Data Center System Architect. He performed 50 Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster retrievals and did salvage operations using remotely operated robots for Space Shuttle Challenger. His career started as the electrical design lead for a NASA underwater robot and progressed to marine operations where he participated in the design and later operation of three ocean research vessels (Liberty, Freedom and Independence).
In 2003, Clark joined Carnegie Mellon University's "Red Team" to help develop an autonomous robot racing machine capable of driving itself 250 miles on desert roads. Clark led the Mapping and Planning teams that enabled the robot racer to win pole race position and travel further and faster than the competition. In 2007, Clark joined CMU's "Tartan Racing" team that won the $2 million DARPA Urban Challenge prize.
Clark has a BS in Ocean Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology and an MS in Technical Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as well as a MS in Software Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. | 