YEAR 2004 IN SPACE

This presentation is all about current things we have going on in late 2003 and 2004. Plenty of cool stuff. Galileo spacecraft suicide dive into Jupiter. Mars Rover robots arrive to roam around on Mars. Stardust spacecraft collecting comet tail material to bring home to Earth. Genesis spacecraft collecting samples of our Sun's outer layer to bring home to Earth. Cassini spacecraft arrives at Saturn to study Saturn and some of the freakiest, weirdest moons in the Solar System. And a couple of other things I can't remember right now because I just hit my head on a toaster, accidently.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF CURRENT NASA / JPL ROBOTIC SPACECRAFT MISSIONS

This presentation showcases our current and recent un-manned space missions in the Solar System. Examples - the Galileo spacecraft studying Jupiter and its moons, the Mars missions, the Genesis spacecraft launched in the summer of 2001 which will collect samples of the Sun's outer "layer" and return them us on Earth, and many others. Some great photos are shown, many of which have been taken by our spacecraft, such as close-up pictures of asteroids, comets, planets, moons of different planets, and other very cool things.

MARS MISSIONS

All of the Mars missions are discussed in this presentation - past, present, and future. Mars itself is also discussed... its dramatic history, the possibility of life there, past and present.

ROCKET AND SPACECRAFT TECHNOLOGY

The science of launch vehicles (rockets) is covered, including solid and liquid rocket fueled engines and ion drive. The design of spacecraft is also covered, showing how different spacecraft are designed to perform different kinds of missions. This presentation tends to get a wee bit too technical for kids... it's best suited for high-school through adult folks who have interests and some prior knowledge in chemistry, physics, rocketry, and related sciences.

LIFE IN SPACE (HUMAN AND ALIEN)

THE PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES OF LIVING IN PLACES OTHER THAN THE EARTH - What's it like living in space? In a shuttle or space station? What would it be like living on the moon? Mars? The other planets? What kinds of special problems would you have to deal with? And what about alien life - what kind of creature would you need to be to live on different kinds of planets? These questions and others are examined in an interactive, informal presentation that's fun and educational for all people of all ages.

EUROPA

Europa, the moon of Jupiter that appears to have a vast ocean of warm liquid saltwater under its icy surface. Possibly the best place we know to find life (except on Earth, duh). But getting to that ocean and looking for life will be maybe the greatest technical challenges mankind has ever faced. We brainstorm ideas on how this can be done, and speculate what we could find there. We talk about NASA's latest up-to-date plans for Europa missions.

THE SPACE PROGAM - WHAT'S IN IT FOR US, HERE ON THE GROUND?

Most people have NO IDEA how many great things in their lives come directly from the space program! The space program is really one of the very best investments for your tax dollar, and we'll prove it to you. A very educational presentation that also is good for sparking kid's interest in science, and talking about career possibilities.

The above presentations vary somewhat from one time to the next, often for no apparent reason. Requests for variations, combinations of topics, or other special requests are always welcome and will always be considered. These presentations are FREE, so you may NOT pay me with money for my presentations (although I will accept small amounts of chocolate or hummous because, heh heh, there ain't nothing in the JPL Ethics Handbook about THAT). Just e-mail me.
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E-MAIL ME ! REQUEST A PRESENTATION ...Point out spelling mistakes and stuff: NASA-JPL@alrich.org

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