Meet NASA's Viral Mohawk Guy, Bobak Ferdowsi (VIDEO)

While NASA's team was accomplishing the incredible feat of landing its Curiosity rover on Mars, the legendary Mohawk Guy, spotted throughout NASA TV's livestream Sunday evening, rapidly became an Internet sensation, Twitter trend, beloved meme, and object of Tumblr affection.

But Mohawk Guy isn't just a fun haircut. He's Bobak Ferdowsi -- the Flight Director on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity mission. And once he went viral, it didn't take tweeps long to find his Twitter account, @tweetsoutloud -- which shot from 200 followers to over 20,000 overnight.

I caught up with Bobak to learn more about his rise to online stardom, his eccentric hairstyles, and, of course, what it takes to land on Mars. READ ABOUT THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW HERE.

Follow Bobak Ferdowsi on Twitter @tweetsoutloud.
For more exclusive video coverage of the latest online trends, subscribe to our channel: YouTube.com/WhatsTrending!

 

Follow Shira Lazar on Twitter: www.twitter.com/shiralazar

Comments

[TomMartin]

03:57 AM on 08/10/2012

I wonder what is his ethnic origin, I am guessing his name might be Iranian. I could be wrong.

[SimonBao]

01:45 PM on 08/08/2012

It helps that Bobak has some serious geeky hotness to him.

[marignymitch]

12:50 PM on 08/07/2012

Hopes this translates into greater interest in science.

[MeRainyday]

12:14 PM on 08/07/2012

@tweetsoutloud now 34,189 followers, make that 34,190!