NASA JPL Explores Generative Design for Space Exploration

NASA has their sights set on exploring the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and they’re using generative design to create the lander. Autodesk’s Mark Davis shares the story.

From the Curiosity Mars rover to the Juno orbiter, the designers, astronomers, and engineers of Jet Propulsion Laboratory are responsible for the success of some of NASA’s most important and defining missions. Now, they’re setting their sights on the moons of Saturn and Jupiter, which are 10 times further away than Mars. To design a lander capable of making the journey—lighter, stronger, and more efficient—they’re using generative design tools from Autodesk. Mark Davis from the Autodesk Office of the CTO talks about the partnership and the way they’ve pushed generative design to new heights, generating solutions for additive metal printing, 5-axis machining, casting, and other manufacturing techniques from a single problem definition.

About the speaker

Mark Davis is the senior director of industry research at the Office of the CTO at Autodesk. He is responsible for the R&D of new technology for designers, engineers, and makers. He’s been with Autodesk for 14 years, and holds a degree from the University of Nevada-Reno.

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