SMA Spring Tire Technology for the Moon and Mars
Deadline to register is 2/13/2025
Dr. Heather Oravec is a researcher in the diverse fields of mechanical and geotechnical engineering, with an emphasis in the respective areas of planetary soil mechanics and advanced aerospace seals. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Oravec studied at Case Western Reserve University earing her doctorate in 2009. Dr. Oravec has over fifteen years of professional experience and currently holds a position with the University of Akron as a Research Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Under the multi‐million‐dollar Glenn Engineering and Research Support contract, Dr. Oravec works as a federal contractor to NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Oravec’s most current role at NASA was to serve as the Facilities and Test Lead for the Mars Spring Tire Project supporting the Mars Sample Return Campaign in partnership with the European Space Agency and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. In this role, Dr. Oravec was responsible for the commissioning and operation of all test facilities utilized for design and development, qualification, validation and verification, and acceptance testing of the Mars Spring Tires. Dr. Oravec managed three teams of multi‐disciplined designers, engineers, and analysts to design and develop test rigs necessary to evaluate the performance of the tires. Her work as Facilities and Test Lead also included oversight and validation of tire tests including vibration, compliance, conditioning, endurance, durability, traction testing and more – the goal was to validate over 300 design and performance requirements levied on the tire. As the Mars Spring Tire project has come to an end due to the descoping of the Sample Fetch Rover, Dr. Oravec is currently transitioning into a similar leadership role for the development and testing of lunar tires for the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle project.
Schedule
Registration and Networking 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Section announcements & Introductions 11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Presentation & Lunch 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 a.m.
Q&A/Closing 12:45 a.m.-1 p.m.