Team - Denney Keys

WHAT DO YOU DO AS GODDARD POWER SYSTEMS ENGINEER AND SDO ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS LEAD?

As a power systems engineer at Goddard I am normally involved in all aspects of the design, evaluation, optimization, and testing of components needed for a spacecraft electrical power system or, in many cases, an entire spacecraft electrical power system. I could certainly never do my job alone, fortunately there are about 9 or 10 people working with me on the SDO electrical power system whose expertise encompass electronics, photovoltaic, and battery technologies. As the SDO power systems lead engineer, I am basically responsible for making sure all of the electrical power equipment is designed and built to meet SDO's needs (requirements), as well as do my best to get all of the equipment built in time to support the SDO schedule.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

My favorite part of my job is that each day has a different and unique set of technical challenges and I love solving technical problems. My least favorite part would have to be related to sitting in all of the different meetings that I'm normally required to attend each week.

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO WORK FOR NASA?

My father was an engineer with RCA and supported the NASA Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs and I vividly recall the first moon landing, which injected the notion deep down that I would love to be involved in something that challenging and rewarding. Since I particularly enjoyed the math and science aspects of school, by the time I was about 16, I already knew that I wanted to be an engineer, too.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL AND WHAT DEGREES DID YOU GET?

I received my Bachelors of Science in mechanical engineering degree in 1980 from the University of Colorado at Boulder. For graduate school, I attended Carnegie-Melon University part time for two years while working for Westinghouse but ended up back at the University of Colorado, after a job transfer to Colorado, where I finished earning my Master of Science degree in mechanical and electrical engineering in 1986.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST JOB YOU EVER HAD?

My very first job was as a paperboy at the age of 11, while my first "major" job was as a busboy at a restaurant called Perkin's Pancake House when I was 15.

HOW DID YOU COME TO ACTUALLY WORK FOR NASA?

I was working for Ford Aerospace as a supporting contractor for NASA when I was informed of a job opening, applied for it, and was fortunate enough to be selected.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING FOR NASA?

I started my career with NASA on August 12, 1990.

Goddard Power Systems Engineer and SDO Electrical Power Systems Lead

Undergrad: Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder

Masters: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder