Location: Electric Drive Theater, Booth #4971, Level 2, Venetian Expo Hall
Dr. Anita Sengupta is a rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, professor, and instrument rated pilot who for over 20 years has been developing technologies that have enabled the exploration of Mars, Asteroids, and Deep Space. She started her career working on the launch vehicles and communications satellites at Boeing Space and Communications. Next her journey took her to the forefront of the US space program. At NASA her doctoral research focused the developing the ion engines that powered the Dawn spacecraft to reach Vesta and Ceres in the main asteroid belt launched in 2006. Next she worked on the supersonic parachute system and skycrane that was integral to the landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars in 2012. From 2012 to 2017 she led the development of the Cold Atom Laboratory, a laser-cooling quantum physics facility which is now on board the International Space Station.