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Name: Ethan Erlhoff

Hometown: Escondido, CA

Currently lives: Escondido, CA

Education:

• BS Aerospace Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• MS Aerospace Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Employer: Northrop Grumman Mission Systems

Job Description: I'm currently working as a Hardware Quality Engineer for the CNI architecture on the JSF program.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?
The earliest I can definitively remember was an architect/builder, with my ultimate goal being to design and build the perfect house. Then I realized I could design and build things that move (like.. with kinetic energy.. like planes, trains, and automobiles..) which made the possibilities exponentially more exciting and an order of magnitude more challenging! Sorry architects!

How far can YOU see? Where do you see the aerospace industry 10–20 years from now?
The aerospace industry, much like many other current industries, depends on financial investment and financial stability, rather than technical capacity or capability. And while it doesn't take a rocket scientist to apply a best-fit polynomial to the USA Defense and NASA budget spending, it is that trend which allows others to invest in the technology (be it other nations or the private sector).

Overall, I see a rise in the aerospace industry worldwide, with more and more countries establishing national space agencies and administrations, more countries investing in aerospace research and technology, with universities aligning their curriculum. I think the main challenges will consist of working with other companies and countries to best utilize our combined resources for the betterment of mankind; it will be a question of working with others of different backgrounds and visions in order to succeed.

One insightful fact you want everyone to know:
You are only as effective as how well you can communicate.

Professional Interests:
RF communications - design, production, and testing of RF electronics. Incompressible aerodynamics - experimental active flow control methods.

Hobbies:
Pottery/ceramics, cycling, and guitar (in decreasing order of aptitude)