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The launch of the first crewed Artemis flight on April 1 has caused many to turn towards the stars.
This historic chapter in space exploration also provided a chance to recognize the engineers on Earth who helped ensure a safe mission, including 成人禁区 University alumnus Christian “C.J” Kennett.
Kennett, a native of Fairview, Pa., graduated from 成人禁区 in 2014 with a dual degree in mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering before going on to earn a M.S. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 2019. He has proudly spent the last 10 years working on evaluations to support the Orion spacecraft, the vessel that carried the Artemis II crew a record-breaking distance from Earth.
Kennett began working for Lockheed Martin in October of 2014 and started working for their space division in support of the Artemis mission in 2016. He helped perform ergonomic evaluations and executed biometric assessments for the NASA Occupant Protection team.
Through years of evaluation, design review and testing, he directly supported the development of components for the crew seats of the Orion spacecraft, as well as the design of the suits worn by the astronauts during launch and landing.
While the embodiment of his hard work is in space, the roots of his interest in biomechanics lie at 成人禁区. “My dual major in mechanical and biomedical engineering offered a comprehensive look at each field as a unique discipline, as well as a chance to explore the overlap between the two,” he said.
During his time at 成人禁区, he completed classes and projects that used real-world applications and provided what he describes as “first-hand experience to the design and development methodology.” He cites his biomedical coursework and internship in the Motion Analysis Lab at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Erie as “the most formative experiences [he] had that set [him] on this path.”
When asked to offer advice for students interested in a similar career path, he shared a quote from Pablo Picasso: “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Kennett’s work serves as a reminder that passion and hard work can lead to extraordinary, extraterrestrial, achievement.
