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Kobie Boykins is one of the few people on Earth who can truly call themselves a Mars explorer. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer designed critical parts of all the NASA spacecraft that have roamed the red planet in the last two decades. His solar arrays helped power the Opportunity rover long after its expected lifespan on Mars. 

More recently, he helped create the Mars Science Laboratory, called Curiosity, that landed in 2012. Boykins is also on the front lines of science communication for NASA. He speaks about Mars and the future of space exploration at the Fitzgerald Theater Thursday night at 7 p.m. as part of the 

 Use the audio player above to hear Boykins' interview with host Tom Weber.

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Kobie Boykins can say he's explored Mars.

Kobie Boykins can say he's explored Mars. Sort of. He spoke to host Tom Weber about the Mars rover.

The man behind the Mars rover on exploring space

Courtesy of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech

Courtesy of NASA

Martian panorama photographed by the rover, Curiosity.

Kobie Boykins at work in NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. 

The man behind the Mars rover on exploring space

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