CMA Presents "Managing the JPL Vision"

Facing two dozen launches of spacecraft and instruments in the next decade, JPL must manage its missions both efficiently and carefully if it is to be successful in carrying out its vision to explore and understand the biological, physical, and chemical evolution of our solar system as well as our neighboring solar systems. JPL Director Charles Elachi will summarize JPL's present situation in Earth, planetary, and deep space exploration, describe the missions that will extend our reach beyond the planets of our sun, and propose scientific, engineering, financial, and institutional practices that can help the Laboratory execute its ambitious vision.

On May 1, 2001, Dr. Charles Elachi became Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Vice President of the California Institute of Technology, where he had received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1971.

During his 30-year career at JPL, Dr. Elachi has been a leader in developing the field of spaceborne imaging radar from a small research area to a major field of scientific research and application. As a result, JPL and NASA became the world leaders in spaceborne imaging radars, including Seasat, Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A, SIR-B, and SIR-C), Magellan, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), and the Cassini Radar.

Among the numerous distinguished awards presented to Dr. Elachi are the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the IEEE Medal of Engineering Excellence, the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Distinguished Achievement Award, and the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal.

This event is open to CMA members and guests only. Membership dues may be paid with your dinner reservation.

For additional information, please contact Alice Tangney at (818) 354-7702 or Janester Short at (626) 395-6625.