ETH Zurich alumna and NASA JPL engineer Mariko Burgin discusses her passion for space exploration.

Mariko transitioned from ETH Zurich to the University of Michigan before joining NASA, where she works on mission formulation: the journey from a mere idea, to a project for space exploration complete with scientific objectives, cost constraints, and technological feasibility, which can take several years.

The conversation covers planetary protection, the evolution of remote sensing technologies, and the search for Martian groundwater. We learn about the holistic approach to space programs, the importance of mentoring, and why everyone should be paying forward to the next generation.

This is her story.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction and Planetary Protection

(03:04) Evolution of Remote Sensing

(06:21) Mission Formulation

(08:17) Journey from Idea to Mission

(10:14) Searching for Martian Groundwater

(12:34) Timeline of Mission Formulation

(13:28) Transition from ETH to NASA

(15:10) Importance of Mentoring

(20:17) Holistic Approach to Space Programs

(22:41) Involvement with ETH Today

(23:36) Childhood Dreams and Curiosity

(24:03) Interest in Marine Debris

(24:57) Reading and Podcasts

(25:25) Science Fiction and Conclusion

Links mentioned

Planet Money: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/

Code Switch: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch

Image Gallery from NASA Perseverance: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/multimedia/images/

NASA Decadal Survey: https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/decadal-surveys/