Namibian-NASA Scientist Dr. Jakob van Zyl Dies

Dr. Jakob 'Japie' van Zyl Top Namibian-NASA scientist Dr Jakob ‘Japie’ van Zyl who made headlines with his work at the Natio...

Dr. Jakob 'Japie' van Zyl

Top Namibian-NASA scientist Dr Jakob ‘Japie’ van Zyl who made headlines with his work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the USA, has died. Dr. Van Zyl made significant contributions during his time at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the USA. His sudden death occurred on August 26, 2020, at the age of 63, following a heart attack.

After collapsing in his driveway upon returning from his morning jog, he was immediately taken to Pasadena Huntington Hospital in California. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 regulations, his wife, Kalfie, was not able to be by his side. The details surrounding his passing are limited, and his family requests prayers and support during this difficult time.

Born in 1957 in Outjo, Namibia, Jakob "Japie" van Zyl had a remarkable career at NASA, where he served as an electrical engineer and space manager. He held a high-ranking position at NASA from 1986 to 2019, contributing significantly to the organization. Dr. Japie van Zyl's untimely death is a loss for the nation, as he served as an inspiration and role model for young Namibians, showcasing the possibilities that can be achieved through hard work and dedication.

President Hage Geingob expressed his condolences, recognizing Dr. Van Zyl's remarkable contributions as an exceptional scientist. The news of his passing has saddened many who admired his accomplishments and respected his dedication to his field.

Dr. Jakob Japie van Zyl.

In a statement issued by the Namibian Presidency, Dr. Geingob said: “The passing of Dr. Japie van Zyl has robbed our nation of an outstanding Scientist whose contributions in space research advanced our understanding of the universe. 

My exchanges with the highly affable Dr. van Zyl during his visits to the country of his birth were always pleasant and illuminating.” Dr. Geingob said Dr. van Zyl had the unique ability to make the complex field of space science and his work at NASA accessible to many young Namibian learners and dared them to dream through his exchanges with them.

Dr. Jakob "Japie" van Zyl will be remembered by Namibians as one of their own, hailing from the small town of Outjo. Through his unwavering determination and a commitment to excellence in research, he achieved great heights, ultimately becoming a top engineer at NASA. The President, on behalf of the Namibian Government and its people, extends heartfelt condolences to Dr. van Zyl's wife, Kalfie, as well as his family and friends.

In recognition of his outstanding service, he was honored with the Outstanding Public Service Medal as part of the InSight - Mars mission by NASA in September 2019. His dedication and achievements have left a lasting impact in the field of space exploration and have made him an inspiration to many.

Education

Van Zyl obtained engineering degrees (B. Hons.) from Stellenbosch University in South Africa in 1979. He further pursued his studies at the California Institute of Technology in the United States, earning an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in the same field in 1983 and 1986, respectively. During his time at the California Institute of Technology, he also served as a teaching assistant. In 1986, he joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he played a key role in the establishment of several synthetic aperture radar systems.

Dr. Van Zyl has been granted two patents and has received 17 NASA certificates of recognition. His research interests encompass various areas, including electromagnetic theory, wave propagation, diffraction and scattering, remote sensing techniques, radar polarimetry and interferometry, as well as antenna and sensor theory and techniques. Currently, he was residing in Pasadena, CA, in the United States along with his wife, Kalfie.

Namibian University of  Science and Technology Chancellor, Peter Katjavivi poses picture with Dr. van Zyl.

Dr. Jakob "Japie" van Zyl held a prominent role as the head of the Solar System Exploration at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Prior to that, he served as the head of the Department of Astronomy and Physics, starting in 2006. In addition to his notable contributions to space exploration, Dr. van Zyl also collaborated with fellow scientists in Namibia and also contributed to the creation of the testing instrument for the COVID-19 detection.

Recognizing his achievements and the pride he brought to his hometown, a street in Outjo was named after Japie van Zyl in 2018. This gesture serves as a lasting tribute to his remarkable accomplishments and serves to honor his legacy within his community.

Award

Throughout his career, Dr. Jakob "Japie" van Zyl received several prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to the field of space science and technology. These include:

• In 1997, he was honored with the Fred Nathanson Memorial Radar Award by the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society. This award acknowledges his outstanding achievements and advancements in radar technology.
• In 2010, Dr. van Zyl received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society. This prestigious accolade recognizes his significant contributions to the field of remote sensing and his exemplary accomplishments in advancing the understanding of Earth's geoscience via remote sensing techniques.
• In 2019, he was awarded the Outstanding Public Service Medal by NASA. This esteemed medal is a testament to Dr. van Zyl's exceptional dedication and service to NASA, particularly in his role within the InSight - Mars mission. It acknowledges his significant contributions to public service and his remarkable impact on the scientific community.

These awards stand as a testament to Dr. van Zyl's excellence, expertise, and significant contributions to the field of space science and technology.

InSight-Mission

The InSight mission, also known as the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport, is a robotic lander mission designed to study the deep interior of the planet Mars. It was not a part of the Curiosity Rover mission.

The InSight lander was developed and managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It successfully landed at Elysium Planitia on Mars on November 26, 2018, at 19:52:59 UTC. The primary goal of the mission is to understand the formation and evolution of terrestrial planets, including Earth, by studying the geological activities and internal structure of Mars.

During its journey to Mars, InSight traveled a distance of approximately 483 million kilometers (300 million miles) before reaching the red planet. By studying the Martian interior and gathering data on Marsquakes, heat flow, and the planet's wobble, InSight aims to provide valuable insights into the processes that shaped rocky planets in our solar system.

Please note that Dr. Jakob van Zyl, the respected scientist, made significant contributions to NASA and was involved in various projects, including the design of the InSight mission and the Curiosity Rover at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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