Steve Mance

Background

About Steve Mance

During my graduate program I took a course called “Neural Networks and Fuzzy Systems.” For context, this was 2009 - A time before AlexNet and well before the popularization of deep learning. I can’t describe my anticipation for each lecture. I felt as though the instructor was quietly unveiling secrets of the universe to the quiet fanfare of a scant few who decided to take the course. It was a course that would shape my thoughts for the rest of my life and ultimately the future of my long term career goals. However, I continued my Aerospace career and ultimately landed a job at SpaceX at an incredible time. During my almost 10 years at SpaceX I was able to- Design, build, and install a worldwide network of ground stations for SpaceX Missions - Be an operator on console for several Falcon 9 and Dragon missions - Be present for the first grappling of a private space vehicle to the International Space Station - Participate in four at-sea recovery efforts of Falcon 9 and Dragon - Help design the Starlink constellation - Create and lead a team responsible for the operations of the largest satellite constellation ever envisioned (Starlink) Outside of SpaceX, more people were becoming inspired with neural networks and the field was taking off and, as such, I became more and more drawn to it. I continued to learn as much as I could about learning - reading Neuroscience textbooks, technical papers, blog posts, podcasts and constant introspection. I often come up with new ideas in machine learning and artificial intelligence I would love to try, but failed to have the time. Now I’m finally able to change that.