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Kranz and Lovell at SolidWorks World (part 2)

During the press conference after the SolidWorks World 2011 General Session, someone asked whichcharacterists are desirable to have in an engineer. This was a thought provoking question that Gene Kranz took in stride. He stated that good engineers have to have intense listening. They also have know the people they work with. I suspect these answers come from a deep history of problem solving when lives are on the line. Jim Lovell answered by saying engineers need coureosity and the ability to look ahead to see an impending crises.

Lovell also speculated,

Our technological advances are far exceeding our social advances.

When asked about commerical space programs, Lovell made a distinction between actual commerical space programs and government funded programs. He then speculated,

I believe it’s going to be another decade for truly successful commerical space [programs].

Kranz forsees another type of difficulty for commercial space programs.

If [a commerical company] fails, who’s going to be responsible?

Space travel has to take into account the effects on populations throughout the planet. Commercial space companies will have to be well insured in the event one of their vessals slams in to a city, according to Kranz.

Finally, when asked about the use of computer simulation verse physical simulations used in the rescue of Apollo 13, Kranz commented on use of the physical simulations lead to virtually every success they had. Lovell added that the simulations were quite realistic.

Meeting Lovell and Kranz is definitely going to be the highlight of this trip for me. In return, both Lovell and Kranz stated their appreciation of their reception from the conference attendees. In particular, they were impressed by the number of press at the press conference.

Gene Kranz and Jim Lovell at SolidWorks World 2011

Gene Kranz and Jim Lovell, two of the heros of the Apollo 13 mission, gave an awesome presentation at the Monday General Session of SolidWorks World 2011. They took turns to talking in depth about their experiences with that potential disaster and the failures that led to it. Much of their experience was well documented in the movie Apollo 13, but hearing them talk about it first hand is 100 times better.

The press conference that followed the General Session gave the press an opportunity to ask questions of Lovell and Kranz. When asked about how they view risk in the U.S. space program, Kranz talked about Apollo 13 at first, but then mentioned the Columbia space shuttle disaster. He stated that practically the whole project management was fired. He then added that their firing was a mistake. In regard to the NASA team, he added,

Where do you learn if you aren’t allowed to make mistakes.

When asked about human exploration of Mars, Lovell discussed the loss of resolve to continue the U.S. space program.

We lost that incentive to continue a viable program.

He also stated,

We’ll eventually go to Mars, but it won’t be [Americans].

There are other questions for which they gave facinating answers. All cover more of the press conference later today.

Jeff Ray talks about Chilean miner rescue at SolidWorks World 2011 general session

Jeff Ray, former CEO of SolidWorks Corp, opened up SolidWorks World 2011. He profiled several companies that were involved in the rescue of the Chilean miners. The common thread for each those companies is the fact that they design their products with SolidWorks. Schramm produces drill rigs, including the drilling of the first hole that found the miners. Center Rock Inc made the drill bits used in the rescue operation. Oakley provided special sunglasses to protect the miners’ retinas when they first come up from the mines.

Bertrand Sicot then came on stage to thank Jeff Ray for his 7 1/2 years of service to SolidWorks.

News on DraftSight adoption stats

During the Monday General Session of SolidWorks World 2011, Bertrand Sicot (new CEO of SolidWorks Corp) announced that DraftSight, the newest 2D CAD offering from Dassault Systemes, has over 300,000 downloads to date. There has been about 66,000 activations so far. In 6 months, 16,000 new people have joined the DraftSight Community. He charactorized this as the most successful CAD launch in history.

Well, finally on my way to SWW11

I’m finally on my way to SolidWorks World 2011. Its been almost year since SolidWorks World 2010, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. Right now, I’m in the San Diego, CA airport waiting for the next plane on my way to San Antonio, TX.

SolidWorks Corp provides me with Press access to SolidWork World. Though some of my expenses are not covered, they do cover my basic hotel costs for this trip, as well as some ground transportation. My Press pass also includes normal items given to all full conference pass attendees, such as some meals and swag.

This article was published from my Android smartphone over Sprint network. I love that I’m not tied to wifi hotspots, even when they are present. Also, I’m not bringing a big and bulkly laptop this year. No more 20 pound monster on my shoulder. Instead, I’m bringing an inexpensive and light weight notebook.

Over this upcoming week, I’ll blog mostly about SolidWorld World, but there may also be an article or two about some personal experiences that aren’t directly related to the conference (like details about my visits to tourist spots).

In general, I’m going to try to have a slower pace this year, to attend more breakout sessions. This means that I may spread out some of my SolidWorks World articles over two or three weeks.