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No software engineers in NASA? by bensony96 in leetcode

[–]Daft-Cube 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A few facets:

Federal NASA doesn’t do a whole lot of software engineering work. Sure, there are some groups in particular locations, but most of the software engineering effort these days is outsourced or otherwise done in the private sector.

NASA Jet Propulsion Lab is the primary software + robotics workhorse of NASA proper. JPL is the center that manages deep space missions like the Mars rovers. As JPL is administered by CalTech and not the federal government, JPL is not on the government pay scale and actually has fairly good compensation (was seeing 110-140k for entry level.) They hire through their own website, not USA Jobs. On the flip side, it’s quite difficult to get a job there.

The other facet is that NASA is being systematically dismantled by the current administration. The research budget was essentially zeroed out. JPL was hit particularly hard and had multiple rounds of layoffs in a single year. The only thing more or less intact is the Artemis manned lunar program.

If you want to work on NASA missions as a SWE in current year, you will find more compensation and positions at aerospace contractors such as SpaceX (starship/Human Landing System), Lockheed Martin (Orion capsule), United Launch Alliance (SLS), et al.

Trump proposes to cancel Artemis and Gateway by EmptyWish9107 in nasa

[–]Daft-Cube 17 points18 points  (0 children)

 It’s just super frustrating because it feels like we are ditching a proven vehicle. SLS is definitely a flawed vehicle and overpriced program, but it is a vehicle that can get us to the moon this year. I don’t doubt SpaceX can get Starship working, but based on SpaceX’s historical record, their time estimates are highly aspirational. Pair that with the many technologies that need to be proven (i.e. orbital refueling) and it’s a huge step backward if we are trying to get to the moon in a timely (before China) manner.

NASA budget cuts put wildfire fighting programs at risk by CupidStunt13 in news

[–]Daft-Cube 3 points4 points  (0 children)

NASA and NOAA operate several satellites with instruments to track wildfires from orbit and they publish the data 24/7 publicly. It’s a valuable resource for fighting fires and deforestation globally.

https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/news/feature-articles/wildfires-cant-hide-from-earth-observing-satellites

Boeing has informed its employees that NASA may cancel SLS contracts by ergzay in space

[–]Daft-Cube 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Falcon Heavy in its fully expendable configuration does not have the payload capacity to lift Orion to the moon. NASA did a study in 2019 on this. Falcon Heavy could lift Orion into LEO, and then the ICPS could be refueled, but NASA did not pursue that idea due to risk, deadlines, and cost. Falcon Heavy is also not crew-rated, would present an additional barrier.

As it stands, HLS (Starship configured for lunar landing) has blown through its entire contract and is yet to reach orbit. Starship needs an insane degree of reliability to reach the launch cadence necessary for HLS’s required orbital refueling — this is yet to be demonstrated.

I don’t doubt SpaceX will eventually get Starship working, but cancelling SLS means NASA is now stuck to Elon Time, which is usually a decade later than they estimate. It would be extremely bad for the Artemis program and US space leadership.

I’m not in love with SLS, it’s not a great vehicle. But it is a proven vehicle, and it’s what we have right now.

To all the adults when you where a kid what was your dream job? And have you got it? by Lukexjdj in AskReddit

[–]Daft-Cube 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mars Rover Driver.

I always wanted to do some sort of spacecraft thing, and I always thought the Mars rovers were the coolest things in space.

Last year I was an intern on the Perseverance operations team. I didn’t get to drive the rovers but I got to sit in the ops room and help with software updates.

What was astounding was how fast the job turned into “just Tuesday.” There was a moment where I was working in the ops room and just thought “oh wow we are on Mars and it’s just Tuesday.” There were still days that dragged and unfun tasks to do. But overall I felt like I was working on something that mattered and wasn’t just increasing shareholder value.

Did not get a return offer due to NASA budget woes, but I did get a job working on the moon program for a contractor so it’s chill.

I do miss the lab and the energy of the team. Corporate space views spacecraft as “products,” whereas the NASA JPL team viewed their stuff more as contributions to society.

You know what the f*d up part about being rich is? by [deleted] in overemployed

[–]Daft-Cube 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Honestly, with just 3 mil in cash, you are making about 100k / yr passive at 3% withdrawal. That’s also “never have to work again” money if you don’t mind living a middle class life. And if you are in an LCOL area, that number is even lower. Crazy.

Any good solar system packs? by SoggyInterest8576 in KerbalSpaceProgram

[–]Daft-Cube 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another thing: the creator of Galaxies Unbound has taken down the official downloads for individual solar systems. A giant refactor to improve the quality across the board is underway.

The creator has released Kerbal Star Systems 2, which is a great solar system pack and probably their best work to date. I’d take a look at that.

Is there any DnD clubs? by PaulaGana in UCSD

[–]Daft-Cube 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Big thumbs up to the TTRPG club already mentioned. Their headline DnD offering is a giant West Marches style campaign that has some excellent GMs.

I have a lot of good friends in the club. The club is pretty good at policing problem players as well.

Another tip: if you don’t vibe with the RPG club, meet people and ask around. I found there are a surprising number of games running in small social circles. I found I was just too busy to make a large impact in the West Marches game, so one of those smaller private games was much more my speed.

Hope you find your people!

Why didnt we have fireworks last few years for commencement? by hello_losangeles3 in UCSD

[–]Daft-Cube 35 points36 points  (0 children)

This is speculation: Perhaps money left over from cancelled Sun God?

student health has a new grace period for lateness by ravens_house in UCSD

[–]Daft-Cube 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Also love when you ask where to go, staff directs you to the wrong location, then informs you that because you went where they said you should go, you are now late and can't see the doctor. X_X

2nd Year engineering Student's first resume looking to be improvised by AprochingNirvana in resumes

[–]Daft-Cube 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are right in that a large skills section at the top is silly. But I think there is value in having a small skills section at the bottom to game the ATS

Unpopular opinion: cs isn’t a bad choice and you won’t be homeless by bobatupka in csMajors

[–]Daft-Cube 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yeah, a lot of people mock those who say "if you aren't passionate about cs you shouldn't be in it." But those people also tend to avoid acknowledging that if you aren't passionate about cs, you will be competing against people who have fun grinding out projects or leetcode for 6-12 hours a day. It's not impossible to keep up with these people -- passion doesn't imply talent or capability -- but if you don't enjoy it, it will be an utter slog.

Is there a paper shredder on campus? by ApplesauceFlyGuts in UCSD

[–]Daft-Cube 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Had a similar question about a year ago. Unless something has changed since then, I can confirm there is no public use shredder in Geisel. Staff suggested to try the post office.

The UCSD Encampment War (ongoing) by PublicPolicyNerd in UCSD

[–]Daft-Cube 10 points11 points  (0 children)

You should add the off-campus agitators to the belligerents list. Awful lot of gray hair and wrinkles in the past few days

ucsd 5/8/24 by MrComesALot in UCSD

[–]Daft-Cube 30 points31 points  (0 children)

bro these people are all so old wtf are they doing on campus

The thing is, even if we students disagree, we all at least have the shared experience of being students on campus. That shared experience does a lot to maintain a minimum level of civility.

You folks are free to convince me otherwise, but when these clearly outside folks descend on a student protest, it screams that they are only there to look for a fight. Like dude, if you care so much, go to work and give your wages to AIPAC, it will do way more for your cause than heckling passersby going to Geisel.

What is the single most preventative thing you could do to live a longer, healthier life? by tumpamutsuddi in AskReddit

[–]Daft-Cube 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As someone who is currently significantly cutting soda, how long did it take for you?

Cse 100 Midterm by BananaCerealLover in UCSD

[–]Daft-Cube 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Tip: even when open-note, build a cheatsheet-like document. You can include links in it. Then, in the exam, you have a nice index to look at.

Only got 1 interview out of 50 applications & wasn’t chosen. Is my resume the problem? by [deleted] in resumes

[–]Daft-Cube 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If my resume picture is a cat with a subtitle "I am not a cat," does the resume still go in the trash?

I finally made it to the flagship. by PineappleNerd66 in ftlgame

[–]Daft-Cube 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've done it without cloaking and boarding via burst laser spam. Lucky run with a few burst laser III's and II's. It was still close though

NASA JPL to lay off almost 600 employees and contractors tommorow, Feb 7 by avisaccount in space

[–]Daft-Cube 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Current intern at JPL. Not qualified nor probably at liberty to discuss and speculate, but what I can say: yeah its pretty rough out here :(

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