Invited Seminars
Dr. Cheol Park
Senior Materials Research Engineer
NASA Langley Research Center
Multifunctional Structural Materials for Sustainable Aviation and Space Exploration in Extreme Aerospace Environments
Extreme aerospace environments such as aerodynamic heating, corrosive and caustic damage, high thermal extremes and cycles, abrasive lunar dust, impacts from micrometeoroids and space debris, space radiation, extreme vacuum, microgravity, thrust plume ejecta, and their synergistically adverse effects make the advancement in aerospace vehicle technology and space exploration extremely challenging. Exceedingly robust and advanced materials and structures are needed to protect crew and equipment, extending the aeronautical performance and space missions longer and safer with minimal service and repair needs. Recent progress at NASA on advanced multifunctional structural materials will be highlighted, including boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) and BNNT composites, bio-based sustainable aircraft composites, radiation shielding materials, solar sail materials, and wear-resistant materials.
Dr. Rudranarayan Mukherjee
Research Technologist and Group Leader
JPL Robotics, Caltech.
Robots for Exploring Earth, Moon, Mars, and The Space in Between
This presentation seeks to convey the thrill and joy of imagining and engineering systems to overcome the challenges, and realize the opportunities, of space through exemplar technology development projects. The first example will introduce a novel concept and associated technologies for observing Earth from a unique, robotically enabled platform, aimed at understanding the complex interactions of natural phenomena on our planet. The second will showcase robotic technologies in support of the search for extraterrestrial life in the distant reaches of space. The third will delve into robotic mobility and manipulation on the Moon and Mars. Time permitting, the final example will examine the role of robotic systems in enabling sustainable space exploration. Throughout, the discussion will underscore the intricate relationship between hardware and software design, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and modeling and simulation, all set against the backdrop of the unique challenges presented by the space environment.
Dr. Niccoli Scalice
Researcher, Air Force Research Laboratory
Deployable Satellite Structures at AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate
This seminar will present recent, current, and future R&D in the deployable satellite structures group at the Space Vehicles Directorate of AFRL. The talk will cover basics of deployable satellite structures, deployment methods, high-strain composites, and recent AFRL projects including ROSA and SSPIDR. The seminar will also discuss micro-meteoroid and orbital debris shielding. The end of the talk will present an overview of other areas of research at the Space Vehicles Directorate and will address career and collaboration opportunities at AFRL.