Team - Hun Tann

WHAT DO YOU DO AS SDO GROUND SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER AND THE MISSION OPERATIONS CONTROL MANAGER?

I lead and direct the development of the SDO Mission Operations Center (MOC). I am responsible for the MOC budget, schedule and resources. Oversee the implementation of all other subsystems within the SDO Ground System (GS). Provide technical assistance to the Ground System Manager (GSM) with requirements analysis, requirements development, software and hardware purchases, leading detailed design and technical discussions, and overseeing the implementation progress and requirement changes.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

Challenges!! There is always something new going on and lots to learn. The opportunity to learn new things, make decisions, the pride of ownership, and working with good people is the favorite part of my job. It is great to work with many noble people on the team who share a common goal "getting the job done right".

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO WORK FOR NASA?

I decided to work for NASA right after I graduated from college. I was amazed to hear and to see on television that people could walk on the moon. Of course I was too young then to comprehend many things about the Apollo program, but thought that only smart people could do it. I grew up in Cambodia and came to the United States in 1981. I never expected or dared to dream about working for NASA, but I made it. Thanks to the hard work that I did through out the high school and college years here, the school system that allowed me and the opportunity that I was given in this Country.

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

I have an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST JOB YOU EVER HAD?

My first job ever was as a cherry picker on a farm in the summer of 1981. I picked strawberries and blueberries, and then worked as a delivery man for a Sea Food market while going to school.

HOW DID YOU COME TO ACTUALLY WORK FOR NASA?

By luck, I was very lucky. I came to NASA as a coop student. I liked the job, the work environment, and the NASA reputation, so I stayed. I've been working here 18 years since I finished my coop.

SDO Ground System Implementation Manager and Mission Operations Control Manager

Undergrad: Electrical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University