Panel Discussion - "NASA@60: The Role of the Robots"
- Public Event
This same lecture will be presented the evening before at JPL. See "About the Series" below.
Much has changed about the way we explore space in the 60 years since NASA began operations on Oct. 1, 1958. Today's robotic spacecraft are beginning to experiment with laser communications, artificial intelligence and 3-D printed parts. But did you know some of the first spacecraft the U.S. sent the Moon included parts made of wood, or that spacecraft used to record data on motorized magnetic tape recorders? Despite all the advances, one thing hasn't changed: we still rely on robotic spacecraft to extend our senses above and beyond Earth and to blaze a trail as precursors for human explorers. As NASA celebrates its 60th anniversary, this panel discussion will look back over the decades at how far our robotic exploration has come, and consider where we might be headed.
Panel Moderator
- Preston Dyches – JPL Public Outreach Specialist
Panel Speakers
- Rob Manning
- Julie Webster
- Charles Norton
- Anne Marinan
About the Series
The Theodore von Kármán Lecture Series, named after JPL's founder, and presented by JPL's Office of Communication and Education, brings the excitement of the space program's missions, instruments and other technologies to both JPL employees and the local community. Lectures take place twice per month, on consecutive Thursdays and Fridays. The Thursday lectures take place in JPL's Theodore von Kármán Auditorium and are streamed live via Ustream, and (beginning in July 2018) Friday lectures take place at Caltech's Ramo Auditorium. Both start at 7:00 p.m. Admission and parking are free for all lectures, no reservations are required, and seating is limited.
Caltech manages JPL for NASA.
