Future Space Leaders webinar beginning: spacecommerce.tv/events/Future-…
Rep Don Beyer (D-VA), Sen John Hickenlooper (D-CO), chairs of the H and S space subcommittees; Bhavya Lal, NASA Acting Chf of Staff; Ellen Stofan, Under Sec for Sci and Research, Smithsonian
Rep Don Beyer (D-VA), Sen John Hickenlooper (D-CO), chairs of the H and S space subcommittees; Bhavya Lal, NASA Acting Chf of Staff; Ellen Stofan, Under Sec for Sci and Research, Smithsonian
Stofan (who was NASA Chf Sci few yrs ago): re NASA and Earth sci research, need to reflect on how much NASA has done already, but renewed emphasis on climate in Biden Admin. Priorities set out in Decadal Survey. Use data to understand climate change and make us resilient to it.
Stofan: beyond Earth, incredibly exciting how close we are to answering the question of "are we alone." That's why #NASAPerseverance #Ingenuity are there. Europa, Enceladus, Titan, JWST coming up. Not govt v cmrcl, it's "everybody on deck," a global effort.
Stofan: Investing in space exploration is an investment in the U.S. economy. Renovated Natl Air & Space Museum (which she used to run before getting promoted to current job) will have gallery to help ppl understand how space prog touches everyone's lives.
Hickenlooper: could not be happier to be chair of space sbcmte (of Senate Commerce). Had dinner last night with (former astronaut, now Senator) Mark Kelly to talk space.
Hickenlooper praises NASA's earth sci research, and STEM education/inspiration (esp Mars helicopter #Ingenuity)
Q-Is Mars still a horizon goal after Moon or shld be higher priority?
Hickenlooper: don't have info yet to answer that, but my instinct is to be ambitious. But need to understand radiation impacts etc. Didn't know Mark Kelly has a twin brother and they did twin studies. [
Hickenlooper: don't have info yet to answer that, but my instinct is to be ambitious. But need to understand radiation impacts etc. Didn't know Mark Kelly has a twin brother and they did twin studies. [
Q-msg to future space leaders?
Hickenlooper: I lost my job as a geologist in 1980s, but was able to use my sci training to open a restaurant. Have used it as mayor, governor, Senator. There's joy in science. Need to have more kids experience that even if don't become scientist.
Hickenlooper: I lost my job as a geologist in 1980s, but was able to use my sci training to open a restaurant. Have used it as mayor, governor, Senator. There's joy in science. Need to have more kids experience that even if don't become scientist.
Beyer: I'm a science nerd. Degree in economics, but minored in physics. Wanted to be theoretical physicist but realized I wasn't smart enough. [He became an automobile dealer--very well known in Northern Virginia--and then a politician.]
Q-what will be next Apollo moment?
Beyer: an intermediate moment will be return to Moon, but big one will be humans on Mars and that'll be in our lifetime. Had Mars 2033 bumper sticker on my car till it fell off. Moon in 2024 may not be plausible, so then what is?
Beyer: an intermediate moment will be return to Moon, but big one will be humans on Mars and that'll be in our lifetime. Had Mars 2033 bumper sticker on my car till it fell off. Moon in 2024 may not be plausible, so then what is?
Q: priorities?
Beyer: need sustainability in NASA budget. That's what Congress needs to do. Climate change research, basic sci, humans to Mars all impt. Develop new power sources like fusion, useful on Earth and in space missions. Find balance bt govt and private sector.
Beyer: need sustainability in NASA budget. That's what Congress needs to do. Climate change research, basic sci, humans to Mars all impt. Develop new power sources like fusion, useful on Earth and in space missions. Find balance bt govt and private sector.
Beyer: I see Moon and Mars as resources for humanity, want to do this in cooperative way with other countries. American leadership, but not dominance.
Beyer: Universe is 14 B yrs old. Still have billions of yrs to go. Need to take long view. Most of us think there's life elsewhere, but if not, the entire universe is our responsibility. Don't want to mess it up by killing each other.
Q-Moon or Mars?
Beyer: Both. Don't have to choose (but if HAD to it'd be Mars).
Q-Star Wars or Star Trek?
Beyer: Interstellar, But definitely Star Trek over Star Wars. There's science there.
Beyer: Both. Don't have to choose (but if HAD to it'd be Mars).
Q-Star Wars or Star Trek?
Beyer: Interstellar, But definitely Star Trek over Star Wars. There's science there.
Q-impt of climate change research?
Beyer: I like to quote Ellen Stofan who says while we're busy looking at all the other planets don't forget the most important planet of all. Need to measure what's happening on Earth.
Beyer: I like to quote Ellen Stofan who says while we're busy looking at all the other planets don't forget the most important planet of all. Need to measure what's happening on Earth.
Q-advice to young professionals?
Beyer: enjoy science, and literature and humanities. The more you read the better.
We're going to need you. Every industry I know is STEM hungry.
Beyer: enjoy science, and literature and humanities. The more you read the better.
We're going to need you. Every industry I know is STEM hungry.
Q- your vision for NASA?
Lal: NASA is abt exploring the frontiers of knowledge and getting new insights about the universe. My vision is for NASA to help make us a multiplanet species and understand the solar system and beyond and our biosphere.
Lal: NASA is abt exploring the frontiers of knowledge and getting new insights about the universe. My vision is for NASA to help make us a multiplanet species and understand the solar system and beyond and our biosphere.
Q: top priorities?
Lal: Artemis--Artemis I on track to take off later this yr.
Mars Sample Return--launch as early as 2026.
JWST.
X-57 Maxwell all electric experimental aircraft; 5-10 times reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Climate change top priority for Biden Admin.
Lal: Artemis--Artemis I on track to take off later this yr.
Mars Sample Return--launch as early as 2026.
JWST.
X-57 Maxwell all electric experimental aircraft; 5-10 times reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Climate change top priority for Biden Admin.
Q-partnerships w/cmrcl players?
Lal-NASA has worked w/industry since beginning, but evolving so we're taking partnership role instead of contracting. Agreement w/SpX on Starlink coordination for safety of ISS. HLS will be crmcl approach. Will continue to work together w/industry.
Lal-NASA has worked w/industry since beginning, but evolving so we're taking partnership role instead of contracting. Agreement w/SpX on Starlink coordination for safety of ISS. HLS will be crmcl approach. Will continue to work together w/industry.
Q: how have your lessons learned helped you get where you are?
Lal: parents taught me to work hard. Mentor Mike Yarymovych taught me when you're everywhere all the time, you'll be in the right place at the right time. So again, work hard.
Lal: parents taught me to work hard. Mentor Mike Yarymovych taught me when you're everywhere all the time, you'll be in the right place at the right time. So again, work hard.
That's it!
Congrats to @ClayMowry, Tanya Harrison @tanyaofmars, Yasmine Almond at @blueorigin and everyone else at Future Space Leaders @Space_Leaders. That was great! Fun, interesting, and useful. Looking forward to your conference this summer whenever it's scheduled.
Congrats to @ClayMowry, Tanya Harrison @tanyaofmars, Yasmine Almond at @blueorigin and everyone else at Future Space Leaders @Space_Leaders. That was great! Fun, interesting, and useful. Looking forward to your conference this summer whenever it's scheduled.
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