Kenneth F. Harris II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenneth Harris II
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| Born | April 13, 1992 Mitchellville, MD
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| Education | University of Maryland, Baltimore County Johns Hopkins University |
| Occupation | Aerospace Engineer |
| Scientific Career | |
| Years active | 2008 - Present |
| Known for | James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission Satellite Global Precipitation Measurement Satellite Joint Polar Satellite System |
Kenneth F. Harris II is an amazing African-American aerospace engineer. He works at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Kenneth helps protect satellites from computer attacks and other dangers in space. He also works on how satellites move and helps manage big projects. Over his career, he has worked on many important space missions. These include keeping satellites safe and building powerful new telescopes. Kenneth also loves to share his knowledge about science with others.
Early Life and Learning
Kenneth Harris II grew up in Maryland. When he was a child, he spent time with his father in the office and laboratory. This made him interested in engineering.
He went to Eleanor Roosevelt High School and finished in 2010. Kenneth has said that two of his high school teachers, Hubert Willoughby and Troy Bradbury, helped him a lot. In 2014, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. This was from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County's College of Engineering. He worked hard through his courses and lab work. Kenneth thanks his former engineering professor, Anne Spence, for her help. In 2017, he earned a master's degree in Engineering Management. This was from Johns Hopkins University.
Working at NASA
Kenneth Harris II started working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in 2008. He was only 16 years old! Since then, he has worked on several important space missions.
- The Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission Satellite studies how radiation affects parts in space. Kenneth helped with this project.
- The Global Precipitation Measurement Satellite helps us understand rain and snow. Kenneth worked on the parts that help its solar panels unfold.
- The Joint Polar Satellite System helps forecast weather. Kenneth led the team that managed its data.
Kenneth says his most memorable mission was working on the James Webb Space Telescope. He was a deputy lead engineer for the Integrated Science Instrument Module. This part holds all the computers and electrical systems for the telescope. Kenneth led the team that put together the main part of the telescope. This telescope will find light from stars that are billions of light years away.
The media has called him a "Face of NASA." They said he worked on five different satellite missions since he started at NASA. He was also one of the youngest African-Americans to lead integration work on the telescope.
In 2020, Kenneth was elected to the Board of Education in Prince George's County, Maryland. This board helps make decisions about schools in the area.
