Inaugural Yvonne C. Brill Lecturer DR. ADAM STELTZNER 1:30 P.M

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Inaugural Yvonne C. Brill Lecturer DR. ADAM STELTZNER 1:30 P.M

Inaugural Symposium for the Yvonne C. Brill Lecture Series Inaugural Yvonne C. Brill Lecturer DR. ADAM STELTZNER Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Fellow NASA JPL, Pasadena, Calif. “Engineering the Mars Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) System” Dr. Steltzner led the Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity Rover En- try Descent and Landing team, and led development of the novel Sky Crane delivery system that successfully landed the Rover on Mars in 2012. Curiosity’s size and weight made its safe and precise placement impossible with previous technology. The rover’s controlled descent and gentle lowering to the Martian surface on August 5, 2012, dubbed “7 Minutes of Terror,” was flaw- less, enabling the Rover to begin exploration immediately. NASA expects to use Sky Crane technology on future missions, including the Mars 2020 Rover, to greatly improve performance and safety. Dr. Steltzner’s explanations of his technical achievements, and his obvious joy in his work, are widely credited with reviving public in- terest in the future of space exploration and inspiring the next gen- eration of aerospace engineers. His honors include the 2014 International Academy of Astronau- tics’ Engineer Award, NASA’s 2013 Outstanding Leadership Medal, Smithsonian magazine’s 2013 American Ingenuity Award, and World Technology Network’s 2012 Space Technologist of the Year award. The Yvonne C. Brill Lectureship in Aerospace Engineering has been established in the memory of Yvonne C. Brill, pioneering rocket scientist, AIAA Honorary Fellow, and NAE member. Yvonne C. Brill often referred to herself as an “only” – the only woman in the room at a time when female scientists and engineers were exceedingly few. She is best known for developing a revolutionary propulsion system, the hydrazine/resistojet propulsion system, that remains the industry standard for geostationary satellite station-keeping. In the last quarter-century of her life, she dedicated a large part of her time to helping others pursue careers in engineering, science, and mathematics, and to ensuring professional women are given the recognition they deserve. Brill was the recipient of many high-profile awards, including the John Fritz Medal, engineering’s highest honor, the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and she was inducted into both the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame. This Lectureship is sponsored by the AIAA with participation and support of the NAE and is Tuesday, September 30, 2014 enthusiastically endorsed by the Brill family. 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. THE LECTURE ROOM NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES BUILDING 2101 CONSTITUTION AVE., N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 2014 Co-Sponsor For directions and visitor information, visit www.nae.edu/About/19646/58951.aspx.

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