Astronomy Colloquium (2016 Spring Semester)

* Date

June 2

* Speaker

Prof. Paul Yun (NASA Solar System Ambassador)

* Title

NASA Mars Missions

* Abstract

Since 1964, NASA has sent flybys, orbiters, landers, and rovers to Mars, and is ready for a sample return mission in 2020’s and human exploration in 2030’s. In my talk, we will look into the cultural and historical background of Mars exploration, and overview past, present, and future NASA missions. Furthermore, we will examine NASA’s readiness for human exploration. In particular, I will go over my proposal at NASA’s First Landing Sites/Exploration Zones Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars in October 28, 2015. The goal of the workshop was to collect proposals for locations on Mars that would be of high scientific research value while also providing natural resources to enable human explorers to land, live and work safely on the Red Planet. I will update what scientists including myself have done to reduce the Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs) since the last workshop.

We will examine NASA Mars missions’ impact on science, and technology, STEM education, and economy, and discuss the significance of Mars missions to our future generations. Lastly, I will update the international collaboration in NASA Mars missions.