A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Tom began his career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Tom spent 11 years as an Electronics Engineer designing motion control systems for rovers and robotic systems for extreme environments.
In todays podcast I chat with Tom McCarthy who gives us a birds eye view of the issue of space junk/debris that has until quite recently managed to stay under the public radar. As a space robotics expert Tom McCarthy reminds us about how the unpredictable reentry of the Chinese Long March booster rocket that brought the problem of space junk to the forefront, and how advanced near-space robotics will play a crucial role in solving this problem?
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Tom McCarthy
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Tom began his career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Tom spent 11 years as an Electronics Engineer designing motion control systems for rovers and robotic systems for extreme environments.
For example, while working at JPL, he worked on projects like the MUSES-CN Asteroid Rover, a mission to land a rover on an asteroid, and acquire a sample from the asteroid, and return it to earth for analysis. This was Tom’s first opportunity to collaborate with an international space agency, which would prove valuable to his current day activities. While developing novel technologies supporting a micro rover, Tom applied this experience to the Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity. Curiosity landed on Mars on August 6, 2012, to help determine if the planet Mars was ever able to support microbial life.
After JPL, Tom spent four years working at MDA Corporation as the director of Business Development. There he supported technology developments in satellite servicing and planetary robotics through his relationships with NASA.
In 2014, Tom was ready to engage the challenges of building a small business, and along with a few colleagues, they embarked on starting Motiv Space Systems. Motiv was born from a desire to create and bring a unique capability of motion control to customers as a nimble driver of new technology products. The founders felt a domain focused entity concentrated with multi-disciplinary experts would permit the company to be more agile and develop new technology at a more rapid pace and likely at a lower cost to address a dynamically evolving space industry.
Tom lives in South Pasadena with his wonderful wife and two daughters. He enjoys coaching his daughters in softball and has applied the lessons learned while coaching to his career. He strives to put both athletes and employees in positions to succeed and develop their skills.
Motiv Space Systems
Motiv Space Systems was founded in 2014 by three experienced robotics engineers, Chris Thayer, Brett Lindenfeld and Tom McCarthy. The company’s founders believed that they could develop and build space-based robotic systems more efficiently and with a higher level of quality and capability than their competitors in the market.
They were quickly proved right, earning and successfully executing NASA contracts for a range of missions, including most recently the robotic arm on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover.
In 2020, Motiv launched their groundbreaking xLink Robotic Arm System, a space-rated modular robotic arm that sets a new standard for capability and affordability, and brings robotic arm capabilities in reach of a whole new class of missions.
Mr. McCarthy is VP of Development at Motiv Space Systems; the firm designs robotics and advanced components for space exploration, most recently the arm and camera on the Perseverance rover.
About Melanie Boylan
Melanie has been a Freelance Journalist on the Irish Tech News senior team for 2 years. Her background knowledge and interest in a diverse field has allowed for some great chats with some amazing podcast guests.
Melanie also is a Social Media Trainer, Social Media Manager, Co-Founder of The Monday Morning Marketing Podcast, Mentor and Brand Ambassador for AgoraPulse UK and Ireland. She is also a Moderator on Clubhouse for Small Steps and Giant Leaps and Space for All Nations at @melanieboylan
If you would like to learn more, please visit her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieboylan/
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