Hello
I'm Kristin Block, a musician and planetary scientist. I currently manage special image planning for a Mars orbiter spacecraft payload, play bass and percussion, compose for mixed instrumental ensembles and create sound projects of various types. You'll find a bit of information on some of my work here.
Space
I work at the intersection of science, engineering, and project management, making sure a payload at Mars and people on Earth get things done. The results are usually fantastic. We've brought in three NASA Group Achievement Awards, and you may have seen our work.I've worked on imaging hardware for a Mars lander and in the astrobiology lab, co-authoring the first identification of a naturally occurring terrestrial reduced phosphorus.I'm interested in science-driven mission operations and ethical approaches to space exploration. Some of my favorite results below.
Sound
I studied double bass and music education at The University of Miami Frost School of Music. Over the past two decades, I've performed bass, percussion, and other instruments with a number of ensembles, from jazz trios to full symphonies to experimental movement and circus arts groups.I am the co-Founder of South Bay Beat Institute and the Founder and Organizer of Bay Area Resistance Drummers (BARD) I'm currently developing a handful of sound projects, and always have several compositions in the works.I'm interested in art as activism, accessibility in performing, and blurring the boundaries of science-participation-art.
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