Future of Human Spaceflight Symposium at George Washington University

As the Obama administration prepares to unveil its plans for NASA and the USA human spaceflight program, experts on space policy will convene in Washington DC on January 14 for a symposium on 'Human Spaceflight and the Future of Space Science' at George Washington University (GWU). Scott Pace (TR), Director of the Space Policy Institute, will open the symposium with introductory remarks before a session on 'Science, Human SpaceFlight and Congress' featuring representatives of the House Committee on Space Aeronautics and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. GWU professor Pascale Ehrenfreund (CL) and Stephen Katz of NIH will discuss the current state of human space flight, and Tom Cremins of NASA will give a talk with Len Fisk of the University of Michigan on 'Science and Human Space Flight Tomorrow.' Princeton University Professor Christopher Chyba (BR) is scheduled to give the closing keynote address. Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is cosponsor of the symposium. With a membership including 104 universities, USRA's mission is to advance the space-related sciences, develop and operate premier facilities and to promote space policy. (Credit: George Washington University, NASA, USRA)

SETI Institute Lecture to Focus on Impact Modeling Advancements

The SETI Institute will feature a lecture given by UC Santa Cruz Professor Erik Asphaug (BR) on ‘Impact Modeling: From LCROSS to Super Earths’ in Mountain View CA on January 13. Impact modeling has allowed scientists to formulate more accurate theories about planet formation, resources, planetary collisions and asteroid impacts. Recent imagery from ISRO Chandrayaan-1 and NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) allowed scientists to create a more comprehensive map of the Moon’s surface to determine a proper impact location for the LCROSS. While many people have expressed disappointment over not seeing a plume created by the impact, Asphaug stated it was more difficult to gauge how the hollow, cylindrical Centaur upper stage rocket was going to impact the lunar surface as opposed to impacts between spherical objects such as planets. Modeling can also predict the size and position of craters as well as the characteristics of the Impactor. Asphaug will discuss recent research into giant impact collisions during planet formation and the implications for ‘oddball’ planets such as Mercury and Quaoar. This free public lecture is one of many held by the SETI Institute which shares the latest scientific breakthroughs of space exploration. (Credit: The SETI Institute, NASA)