The engineering field is one of the fields characterized by various contracts; these contracts basically act as binding agreements between Engineers and their clients. Episode 5, of the documentary, “From the Earth to the Moon”, begins by a scene where Grumman Aircraft Engineering is awarded a contract under the leadership of Tom Kelly to design and build an aircraft vehicle that man could use as the source of transport to the moon. This scene is pertinent to engineers or persons interest in the engineering field as it ascertains the pertinence of contracts. It is an indication of the extent of importance of contracts within the engineering field; that is, it confirms that the importance of engaging in a contract between engineers and their clients before embarking on any project.
Principles of Engineering and Engineering Ethics
In the course, Principles and Ethics in engineering is one of the major topics that are covered. Engineering as a field just like the medical field and other disciplines is guided by various principles as well as ethics. The major aim of these ethical guidelines and principles is basically to guide or provide direction for activities performed by engineers. One of the principles exhibited in Episode 5, Spider, of the documentary is Management. Engineers are usually engaged in proactive management of different tasks and responsibilities. This is mainly due to the fact that ultimate tasks and responsibility of various designs usually rest on engineers. Engineers are also compelled to listen and communicate with other concerned stakeholders in order to ensure that design issues are properly coordinated. The episode presents various scenes indicating the role of engineers as managers. This begins with presentation of Tom Kelly as the lead Engineer at the Grumman Aircraft Engineers. He hits all the notes in a perfect manner as he is presented as a manager who is aware of responsibilities. Tom Kelly leads a team of Engineers such as; engineer Dave and Engineer Mylar among others in a seven year planning, designing and development process that leads to the creation of the Lunar Excursion Module. Despite showing experiencing various challenges such as conflicting ideas from Engineers such as Mark Lainer who acts as a doubting engineer, Tom Kelly manages to coordinate the seven year project leading a successful of the desired model. Tom Kelly, as one of the major characters in the episode indicates how managerial skills are crucial to engineers. It is also an indication of appropriate managerial skills may be used to facilitate team-work among engineers, hence facilitating the success of complex projects.
Collaboration and Team
Collaboration and team work is presented in almost all the scenes of the episode; the first incidence of collaboration is expressed at the Grumman Aircraft Engineering. Despite the fact that Tom Kelly has the adequate expertise and experience that could be applied to successfully develop the aircraft, he collaborates with other stakeholders and engineers to ensure that the models is developed in a perfect manner that will meet the requirements of space exploration. He collaborates with his fellow engineers such as Engineer Dave, Mark Lainer, Keith Dorman and other stakeholders such as Astronaut James. Collaboration in the engineering field is crucial as it creates a platform for engineers to share ideas among themselves and with experts from other disciplines. Sharing of ideas is critical for solving certain challenges that engineers may experience while developing certain designs. Collaboration and teamwork is shown from the planning stage, design stage and testing stage. Engineering field is characterized by complex issues that require appropriate decision-making i.e. from the planning stage, design and testing of various designs. The importance of collaboration as expressed this episode to engineers is based on the fact that it indicates how it is appropriate tool for solving complex engineering challenges.
Communication
Communication plays a significant role in the planning, design as well as development of the Lunar Excursion Module and the entire moon exploration process. Through, communication, Grumman Aircraft Engineering is able to engage into a contract with NASA leading to the development of the space vehicle, the LEM. Through communication, Engineer Tom Kelly is able to work in collaboration with other key stakeholders such as Astronauts and other engineers to development the specific space aircraft. Moreover, the episode also indicates a series of communication between the earth control sector and the Astronauts in the LEM Space aircraft. However, the most surprising issue in this episode is that the language used in communication among the actors i.e. Engineers and Astronauts is quite technical and may not be understood by people who do not possess knowledge in astronomy or engineering. The episode also involves the use of certain technical codes that are only understood by the astronauts and the engineers. The use of such language is an indication of the role played by technical language in the engineering field. Technical communication ensures that certain complex engineering issues are communicated in a simple manner among engineers, hence indicating the pertinence of possessing technical communication skills among engineers.
Planning, Designing and Commitment
Conclusion
Watching episode five of the documentary, ‘From the Moon to the Earth’, elicits four major issues as aforementioned: Engineering contracts; this is shown at the initial scenes of the episode where Grumman Aircraft Engineering engages into contract with NASA to develop a space vehicle for exploring the moon. Principles and ethical engineering guidelines are also expressed in the episode for instance: Assuming the full responsibility of an engineering managerial position. Collaboration, teamwork as well as communication are also expressed in various scenes of the episode indicating their importance, mainly in solving complex engineering issues. Consequently, the episode indicates the relationship between planning, designing and commitment in engineering field and the importance of showing commitment in performing engineering duties.
