Exploring Space through Innovation and Technology
| Date/Time: | Wednesday, 20 Oct 2010 at 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Location: | Howe Hall auditorium |
| Cost: | Free |
| Contact: | Sue McLaughlin |
| Phone: | 515-294-5666 |
| Channel: | College of Engineering |
| Categories: | Lectures |
| Actions: | Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder |
Braun will highlight NASA's push for disruptive technologies that may enable humans to explore deep space, including near-Earth asteroids and eventually Mars. This technology-enabled exploration strategy will allow NASA to send humans beyond low Earth orbit more efficiently, safely and expeditiously. Central to this approach, NASA's new Space Technology Program seeks to create the technological knowledge and capability needed to enable a new generation of NASA aeronautics, science and exploration missions. By taking informed risks and focusing on high-payoff technologies, Braun believes the Space Technology Program will provide the answers to the agency's future technological needs. Developing these new transformational technologies and capabilities will require the best of academia, industry, and our government labs. In this seminar, Braun also will highlight how NASA space technology solutions impact societal challenges in energy, environment and national security, and will discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to our nation's future.
Braun was appointed NASA Chief Technologist in February 2010. He also is the David and Andrew Lewis Professor of Space Technology in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Braun has more than 20 years experience performing design and analysis of planetary exploration systems, and has also contributed to the design, development, test and operation of several robotic space flight systems including entry, descent and landing systems for the Mars Pathfinder, Mars Microprobe and Mars Sample Return missions. He received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State, M.S. in Astronautics from the George Washington University, and Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University in 1996. He has received the 1999 AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award, two NASA Exceptional Achievement Medals, two NASA Inventions and Contributions Team Awards, and seven NASA Group Achievement Awards. He is an AIAA Fellow and the primary author or co-author of over 175 technical publications in the fields of planetary exploration, atmospheric entry, multidisciplinary design optimization, and space systems engineering.