At the ECE Social Hour with Draper Labs in October, representatives from the company showcased the engineering firm’s deep technological history, its current work and future in deep space in a presentations to students.
Draper Labs is known for its work with IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units), which provide guidance and navigation for manned and unmanned crafts. Work by Draper Labs was involved in guiding men to the moon for the Project Apollo through its guidance, navigation and control (GN&C) systems. Draper Labs is also involved with plans for manned voyages to the moon in this century for the Artemis Project. Artemis is seen a crucial step to missions to Mars.
One of the challenges facing engineers is how to stay on target and be certain of your location on a monthslong trip to Mars. The longer it operates, the more the error grows. How can engineers correct for that in outer space?
“Our IMUs have played crucial roles in supporting a range of systems and missions such as the Agena/CORONA systems, Peacekeeper, Polaris, Poseidon, Trident I, Trident II, the Space Shuttle, and various precision guided munitions and weapons,” Draper Labs says on its website.
Submarine-launched missiles also depend on Draper Labs IMUs to increase accuracy and safety.
Draper Labs has also been at the forefront of micro electronic devices for the human body. Draper aims to emulate the human body on one chip.
How do I start a career with Draper Labs?
Michael Lotito, Principal Director, Strategic Planning at Draper Labs, was a presenter at the ECE Social Hour.
Lotito says that while your GPA is important, the higher the better, there is more than just what is learned out of books.
He says that the engineering is “not just what you study, but what you do.”
Lotito suggested that job candidates should be involved with projects outside of the classroom, both university-sponsored and personal endeavors.
Draper Labs has locations throughout the country, including a location in Clearfield, Utah.
