The Outsourcing backlash not withstanding, it is nice to know that folks of Indian origin are playing a meaningful role in the future as it pertains to American ambitions. According to published news reports, University of Texas, Arlington alumnus Kanna Rajan led the team of scientists that developed the software behind Spirit and Opportunity — the twin rovers probing the surface of Mars. “Before beginning his career in software design, he was a computer science engineering graduate student from 1987 to 1990. Dr. Peterson, who was a computer engineering professor at the time, taught Rajan,” reports the Short Horn. Rajan works as a senior scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, according to the report and will also help maneuver the vehicles.