Michael Palchak - Software & Systems Engineer
Meet Dr. Michael Palchak! As a software and systems engineer, Dr. Palchak interacted with experts in various fields of engineering, including chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering. Systems engineers can work on a variety of tasks, including working for the military on space travel and weapons projects, as well as working for private companies such as Apple and Tesla. The fundamental role of a systems engineer is to come up with a solution to a problem, such as a lack of organization or efficiency, and a fundamental part of the job is working with and organizing others.
Dr. Palchak worked on many different projects as a systems engineer. One of his largest was working on the Space Shuttle. This was a complex system involving many different kinds of engineering, including software, aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering. As a systems engineer, Dr. Palchak had to understand the basic principles of the shuttle, including the hardware, the microwave scanning beam landing system (MSBLS), the tactical air navigation system (Tacan), and the rudder of the space shuttle.
Dr. Palchak also understood the guidance, navigation, and control system (GNC) of the rocket, as he worked with the Return to Launch Site system (RTL) and took into consideration the apogee and perigee of the rocket. He also used the Space Shuttle Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which allowed the team to measure acceleration in the X-Y-Z axis, making it possible to determine the location of the Space Shuttle in space.
With this project, Dr. Palchak worked on the preflight launch readiness test that included scenarios such as launch to orbit, descent from orbit, and return to the launch site from orbit. Primary software was used to perform these different flight scenarios. Daily activities included work in various flight situations. He worked in the office in design, collaboration, review of the project’s status, budgeting, and planning. He also worked in the Avionics Development Lab and Flight Simulation Lab of the Kennedy Space Center, where he worked in a mock shuttle cockpit, flew simulated flights with astronauts, and reviewed the performance of the Dynamic Integrated Test system (DIT), which allows engineers to test the hardware and software of the space shuttle on the ground as if the shuttle were in space in order to find any potential problems.
An additional major project Dr. Palchak worked on was the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). This is a complex system that uses 24 satellites, with receivers located on Earth. These satellites are located on 6 orbital planes and revolve around the Earth over 12,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. Processing these satellites’ signals with specialized software allows the GPS to determine location on earth with an accuracy within 2 meters.
Dr. Palchak notes that many projects begin with the goal of accomplishing only one task but often end up accomplishing, or being used for, multiple other tasks. For example, both mapping programs and implantable heart pumps use technology initially designed for the Space Shuttle.
Dr. Palchak also underscores that successful systems engineers have good problem solving skills and are analytical.