Science on Tap: Engineering a Mars Rover

Name: Science on Tap: Engineering a Mars Rover
Start: 2026-01-13T19:00:00-08:00
End: 2026-01-13T20:00:00-08:00
Location: Ground Control (Bottle Shop and Taproom)

Schedule

Tue Jan 13 2026 at 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

Ground Control (Bottle Shop and Taproom) | Wenatchee, WA

This event is hosted at Ground Control in Wenatchee. No registration required, but RSVP to receive email reminders and updates about this event!
Come join Wenatchee River Institute for Science On Tap! This casual, free event is a great opportunity to gather, socialize, and learn about an exciting science topic from a member of our community. No prior science knowledge necessary! Speakers will give a talk on their latest research or a science topic they are passionate about, with some time afterwards for discussion or Q&A. Presentations start at 7pm – arrive early to grab a drink and get a seat!
Presentation: Engineering the Mars Perseverance Rover
Description:
Ever wondered how to keep a robot alive on a frozen desert planet 140 million miles away? We’ll talk nuclear batteries, daredevil landings, and a tiny helicopter named Ingenuity that changed planetary exploration. Come hear the story of Perseverance from someone who worked on its power source, and find out what the rover has been up to on Mars.
Presenter:
Amanda Gates, she/her, is a Mechanical Engineer who spent six years at Idaho National Laboratory working on the nuclear power source for NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover ahead of its 2020 launch and landing. She currently works here in Wenatchee as a Manufacturing Engineer at Diamond Foundry where lab grown diamonds are fabricated for jewelry and tech applications.
Ground Control offers a small discount for folks who bring their own reusable cup for on tap orders. Outside food is also welcome, as Ground Control does not sell food or snacks.