Marcus Murbach

Expertise: Space Flight
Expedition Role: Robotic Exploration
Affiliation: NASA Ames

Career Journey

Geez, I'm still in school! Maybe I'll always be in school - or at least learning! My undergraduate degree was a general engineering degree with the focus on Bio-engineering. I had always been interested in space exploration and was attracted to an intern position at NASA Ames in the Thermo-Gas Dynamics Division. So, not so much biology - but the work was interesting. We were doing experiments with the first Shuttle flights and looking at problems associated with high speed planetary entry. My education then meandered more toward mechanical and aerospace engineering. My Master's degree was in Mechanical with emphasis on thermodynamics and fluids. And, for 10 years I've been at Stanford in the Aeronautics/Astronautics department collecting the marbles for an eventual Ph.D.

How did you get to where you are?

As I'm writing this, I'm sitting at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility waiting for my dang rocket to take off!! Actually, as part of my research, I have been flying experiments on NASA sounding rockets. My next flight is on a very interesting rocket called a 'hybrid.' It uses liquid oxygen as the oxidizer, and a solid rubber matrix as the 'fuel.' One of the attractive features is that it is environmentally friendly (mostly CO2 out of the nozzle), and fairly safe (the fuel/oxidizer grains are not mixed so that there is nothing to go BOOM unexpectedly!). My experiments will come off from the top of the rocket at around 130 km and will travel through the atmosphere at high supersonic speed. One of the experiments is a prototype 'waverider' and the other two are next generation planetary probes.. So, I got to where I am by taking a jet aeroplane across the country and then driving for many hours!! Actually, the rather meandering path was found by primarily following my interests and passions - primarily in space exploration and a fairly keen desire to build stuff! My first rocket launch can be seen at www.cmex.arc.nasa.gov/srocket.

Growing Up

My history is probably a bit convoluted... My family is from Eastern Washington state, from the vast dryland wheat fields that look like green seas when caressed by the gentle May winds. As a child, I was taken to South America where I lived for about 10 years in the Andean city of Quito. I spent much time wandering the gorgeous countryside, and was smitten by a keen interest in mountain climbing. It was there that I developed a keen interest in culture, language and the human condition... Back to Eastern Washington to finish High School, to Los Angeles for 4 years of college, and in/about NASA Ames ever since. When no one is looking, I very much enjoy traveling - traveling - traveling - always looking to fill my eyes with the endlessly fascinating sites that abound.

What made you study science?

Probably a keen interest in attempting to understand the profound questions that we don't seem to yet have complete answers to. Also, it seems that we can better the human condition by such study - and perhaps also become better stewards of this wonderful oasis called planet earth. Besides all that, I like to fly rockets!!

Family, hobbies, interests, etc.

I am married to a wonderful lady and have three great girls - my girlies, as I call them. We try and do cool stuff together. Right now, we have a competition to see who can actually surf first! So far, I'm in last place... But I do the best flips, even if somewhat inadvertent.

Parting words for students or teachers

Learning is in general a wonderful, fulfilling and life-long process. Follow your passions! Follow your interests! Never be afraid to learn or try something new!