NASA’s Mohawk Guy Gets Star Treatment at State of the Union Address

Bobak Ferdowsi, now better known as Mohawk Guy is doing more than helping NASA’s Curiosity rover land on Mars. He’s getting a lot of media attention for being young, smart, good looking and his iconic Mohawk hairstyle. His latest feat is that he will sit next to the US first lady Michelle Obama as President Barrack Obama delivers his State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 12.

Who is Ferdowsi?
Ferdowsi is of Persian descent and is an Iranian-American who works as a Systems Engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA. He gained media fame in August 2012 when he helped land the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity mission. Because he sat in such a prominent position near the camera, Americans were both fascinated with the landing of the Curiosity rover as much as for Ferdowsi’s eye-catching hairstyle.

It’s all in the hair
His outrageous Mohawk hairstyle simply stood out in a room full of buttoned up shirts and ties. Even Barrack Obama commented that, “It does seem NASA has come a long way from the white shirts, dark-rimmed glasses, and pocket protectors.”

Thanks to Ferdowsi, NASA’s image is getting a makeover, with the President adding that, “You guys are a little cooler than you used to be.”

New mission, new hair
For each mission, Ferdowsi styles his hair in a different manner, but it was the Mohawk during the Curiosity mission that caught the media’s attention. His team has a say in the hairstyle that Mohawk Guy dons for each mission.

Ferdowsi’s latest look has the symbol for Morse code of the letters JPL shaved on the side of his head, as a slight modification to his current style. All eyes will be on the Mohawk Guy during the inauguration. Perhaps he will do something special with his hair on the special occasion.

Model for smart science guys
Ferdowsi has also worked as a science planner on the Cassini-Huygens mission aside from the Curiosity mission.

At the Inaugural address, the Mohawk Guy will showcase the need for skilled immigrants in the country, especially those who excel in math, science and engineering. He can also represent the success of the NASA program.

Second Inauguration of Obama
During the Second Presidential Inauguration Weekend, Ferdowsi and other scientists from NASA participated in in the parade, walking alongside the Curiosity and Orion replicas.

Another person who gets an honored seat next to the First Lady is Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. Mr. Cook’s presence will be a tribute to the Obama administration’s push to have American companies meet cybersecurity standards. At the same time, Obama is endorsing special visas for foreign entrepreneurs.

Last year, the widow of Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell Jobs, got the honored place next to Mrs. Obama.