Bobak Kerman
| Bobak Kerman | ||
 | ||
| Not seen in-game; only in promo trailers | ||
| Occupation | Flight controller | |
Bobak Kerman is a semi-official character seen working beside Gene Kerman in KSC Mission Command in an official Squad promo trailer titled “At the Kerbal Space Center”.[1] Bobak does not appear in the Mission Control building. He also appears for the Asteroid Redirect Mission trailer who is working next to Gene Kerman.[2]
Bobak Kerman's personality is depicted as more animated than his colleague Gene, at one point knocking over computer monitors when a mission goes slightly catastrophic.
Real-world parallels
Bobak Kerman is a deliberate homage to modern day NASA scientist Bobak Ferdowsi. This was announced on Squad's official KSP Twitter page.[3] Much like the white vests worn for each mission by Gene Kerman's likely inspiration Gene Kranz, for each mission Ferdowsi wore a different hairstyle (the result of a team vote). Ferdowsi gained notoriety after the mohawk he sported during the televised Curiosity rover mission caught media and internet attention, showing a cooler and edgier image of NASA scientists.
Gallery
Bobak shaking Gene when a flight crew is in danger
Bobak (right) and Gene Kerman worry about the Asteroid Redirect Mission
References
- ↑ “At the Kerbal Space Center” official promo video
- ↑ “Asteroid Redirect Mission” official promo video
- ↑ Squad's tweeted homage to Ferdowsi
