Andrew Thoesen is a mechanical engineering student at Arizona State University. He dreams of a humanity that is multi-planetary, and shares how we are working to move closer to that reality in this talk. Andrew Thoesen is a mechanical engineering student at Arizona State University. After living in Indiana for 23 years and obtaining his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, he worked as an engineer in industry for several years before returning to graduate school. Originally exploring hand prosthetics, his focus area shifted after his lab’s departure in his first year. He has been exploring space systems and design ever since, first by leading the design of the AOSAT cubesat followed by examining mobility in granular space environments. His current research examines mobility on lunar and asteroid surfaces and he recently completed a summer working at NASA to better familiarize himself with simulating lunar conditions.
Aside from research, Andrew also enjoys engaging the public about space research. He has spoken at Phoenix Comicon, Ignite Phoenix #18 event, and the Scottsdale Public Library system about his work and the future of space engineering. Currently he is engaged in an outreach project to bring NASA-designed science experiments and robotic arm building to a group of 30 8th graders. When he isn’t working on his research he enjoys the Arizona outdoors by hiking with his wife, camping, reading, and writing fiction and non-fiction. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx