Beyond our Future in Space

The Space Age is half a century old. Its early successes were driven by a fierce super-power rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States, obscuring the fact that exploration and risk-taking is built into human DNA. Decades after we last set foot on the Moon, and several years after the Space Shuttle was retired, space activity is finally leaving the doldrums. A vibrant private sector led by SpaceX and Virgin Galactic plans to launch supplies cheaply into Earth orbit and give anyone the chance of a sub-orbital joy ride. New materials are being developed that could lead to space elevators and transform the economics of space travel. Fighting gravity will always be difficult, but engineers are rethinking rockets and propulsion technologies. Permanent bases on the Moon and Mars are now within reach, and a new Space Race is brewing, with Asian countries ascendant. The talk will review the history and landmarks of the international space program, give a snapshot of the current situation, and plot the trajectory of the future of space travel.

Speaker: Dr. Chris Impey, Univ. of Arizona