Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive
History of NPS Centennial Celebration, 2009-2010
2009-08-06 Naval Postgraduate School Centennial Salute to Aeronautics and Astronautics, Astronaut Symposium, 6 August 2009, Air and Space Week 2009
NPS Alumni Relations Office http://hdl.handle.net/10945/42167 A CLOSER LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF NPS
NPS Centennial Timeline Dedicated May 25, 2009 (Tile 40 pictured above) One of the campus’ newest landmark additions is the NPS Centennial Timeline, a 48 panel permanent wall display outside Root Hall that chronologically spans the milestones and achievements of NPS’ first 100 years. Panels 31 and 40 highlight NPS’ commitment to space research and education. They reside among the various other pictorial displays of the first 100 years of excellence in education.
For more information about the Naval Postgraduate School’s Centennial contact: NPS Alumni Relations Office and Centennial Headquarters Herrmann Hall, Room 127 E 1 University Circle Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 656-2077 [email protected] Naval Postgraduate School Centennial Salute to Aeronautics and Astronautics
Astronaut Symposium 6 August 2009
Air and Space Week 2009 1 NPS Astronauts and Graduation Year
Scott D. Altman 1990 Jack R. Lousma 1965 Daniel W. Bursch 1991 Jon A. McBride 1971 Gerald P. Carr 1961 William C. McCool* 1992 Eugene E. Cernan 1964 Edgar D. Mitchell 1961 Michael L. Coats 1979 Carlos I. Noriega 1990 Robert L. Curbeam 1991 Lisa M. Nowak 1992 Ronald E. Evans* 1964 Robert F. Overmyer* 1964 Christopher J. Ferguson 1992 Alan G. Poindexter 1995 Michael J. Forman 1986 Marcos C. Pontes 1998 Stephen N. Frick 1994 Kenneth S. Reightler Jr. 1984 Kenneth T. Ham 1996 Kent V. Rominger 1987 John B. Herrington 1995 Winston E. Scott 1980 David C. Hilmers 1978 Michael J. Smith* 1968 Brent W. Jett 1989 Robert C. Springer 1971 Mark E. Kelly 1994 Paul J. Weitz Jr. 1964 David C. Leestma 1972 Jeffrey N. Williams 1987
Michael E. Lopez-Alegria 1998 *Indicates deceased
10 “It’s wonderful that NPS has WELCOME TO NPS such a strong space program, The Naval Postgraduate School for both engineers and is America's national security research university. Providing operational students, and that education and research the magic of space flight has programs relevant to the needs caught on here.” and interests of the Navy, Department of Defense, other M. Scott Carpenter military services and federal Mercury 7 Astronaut NPS General Line School graduate, 1959 agencies, it is the ideal host for an Astronaut Symposium of this magnitude.
NPS boasts 37 astronaut alumni, more than any other post graduate school in the world, with additional astronauts having been part of the School’s distinguished faculty and staff.
Bringing ten astronauts together during the School’s centennial year exemplifies the rich history of aeronautics and astronautics at NPS and the continued c o m m i t m e n t t o s p a c e exploration and advancement. ■
2 A Message From NPS Centennial Headquarters
Kari L. Miglaw Director Alumni Relations Office Centennial Planning Headquarters
Greetings Symposium Guests,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome returning NPS astronaut alumni and their families, distinguished astronaut guests and guest speakers to the Naval Postgraduate School’s Astronaut Symposium held during NPS’ historic Centennial year.
NPS has a long history in graduating astronauts with a total of 33, and close ties to a number of others who have either worked at NPS or taken classes at the school. From astronaut pioneers like Scott Carpenter, one of the original “Mercury Seven” crew members, to modern pioneers like NPS alumnus and NRO chair Dan Bursch who held the space endurance record during his years with NASA, NPS continues to be at the forefront of educating America’s astronauts. As a leader in space education and research, NPS paves the way for future astronauts to pursue their dreams through exceptional graduate education and coursework in the space program.
Today’s symposium provides a unique forum where our returning astronauts and guest astronauts assemble to participate in discussions on the current and relevant space topics of Near Earth Objects (NEO), Near Earth Asteroids (NEA), piloted missions to NEA, and spacecraft survivability.
Enjoy today’s symposium and be sure to visit the NPS Centennial website at www.nps.edu/100 for more information about upcoming NPS Centennial events.
Sincerely,
Kari Miglaw
3 A Message From the Symposium Coordinator
Daniel W. Bursch, Captain, USN, (Ret) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Aerospace Chair Professor Space Systems Academic Group Naval Postgraduate School
Dear Friends,
Thank you very much for your participation in the first NPS Astronaut Symposium. This event began as a vision by Professor Rudy Panholzer, Chair of the Space Systems Academic Group, to bring together the astronauts that have been educated at NPS. It has been my pleasure to help him realize his dream, as he helped me realize mine many years ago. I vividly remember the call I received from NASA while I was a student here under the tutelage of Dr. Panholzer in January 1990, informing me that I was selected for the next astronaut class.
Our nation’s space program stands at a critical crossroads as we wrestle with competing financial priorities here and around the globe. We are again at the cusp of the next generation of human spaceflight and scientific discovery, as we were in the 1970’s when the Apollo Program transitioned to the Space Shuttle Program. As we meet here today, the Review of Human Space Flight Plans Committee, chaired by Norm Augustine, is also meeting, determining the legacy and continued success of the U.S.’s space program and ensuring that we are on a vigorous and sustainable path to achieving our boldest aspirations in space.
The enduring success of our space program is directly attributable to the many people who have dedicated their lives to the exploration of space and to the service members protecting our democracy. Their sacrifices allow our country to enjoy its freedom and approach challenges with open minds and fresh ideas.
We hope the topics covered today provide the basis for more comprehensive discussions about the future of our space program, provide new insights about the survivability of spacecraft, and offer a better appreciation of the stresses that our military and astronaut families face every day.
As Rudy has said for many years: “Onward and upward!” -Dan Bursch
4 Astronaut Symposium Session Details
Session I: Near Earth Objects (NEO) Guest astronaut and NEO expert Russell ‘Rusty’ Schweickart will introduce the topic, followed by a question and answer session and NEO Hazard panel discussion with the visiting astronauts.
Session II: Common Challenges for Astronaut and Military Families In this interactive, panel-style discussion, returning astronaut spouses and one adult son discuss common challenges for astronaut and military families. Topics will include comparing and contrasting the challenges faced during deployments on and off the planet, communication opportunities during deployment, and support available to spouses and families.
Session III: Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) Piloted Missions Guest Astronaut Tom Jones joins King Hall via teleconference and introduces the topic of piloted missions to NEAs, followed by a question and answer session. After a short break, visiting astronauts take part in a piloted mission to NEA panel discussion.
Session IV: Spacecraft Survivability Retired NPS Professor Dr. Robert Ball, NPS Instructor Chris Adams, CDR, USN, (Ret), and Lockheed Martin Space Systems ORION Spacecraft Survivability Lead Meghan Buchanan, discuss spacecraft survivability followed by a question and answer session. Following the presentation, visiting astronauts and spacecraft survivability experts take part in a panel discussion about spacecraft survivability.
5 Astronaut Symposium Schedule of Events
Time Event Location
0800 - 0845 Coffee, juice, morning refreshments King Hall
0845 - 0900 Welcome and Introductions King Hall
0900 - 1145 Morning Sessions
0900 - 1030 Session I: Near Earth Objects (NEO) King Hall
King Hall, 1030 - 1045 Morning Break with refreshments Ingersoll Hall
Session II: Common Challenges of 1045 - 1145 Astronaut and Military Families Ingersoll Hall
1145 - 1315 Lunch Break
1330 - 1600 Afternoon Sessions
Session III: Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) King Hall 1330 - 1445 Piloted Missions
1445 - 1500 Afternoon Break with refreshments King Hall
1500 - 1600 Session IV: Spacecraft Survivability King Hall
6 Participating Astronauts
Dan Bursch, Captain, USN (Ret) M.S. Engineering Science, 1991 Naval Postgraduate School Selected as an astronaut in 1990
Steve Frick, Captain, USN M.S. Aeronautical Engineering, 1994 Naval Postgraduate School Selected as an astronaut in 1996
Dave Hilmers, MD, MPH, Colonel, USMC, (Ret) M.S. Electrical Engineering, 1978 Naval Postgraduate School Selected as an astronaut in 1980
Jim Newman, PhD B.S. Physics, Dartmouth College, 1978 PhD Physics, Rice University, 1984 Selected as an astronaut in 1990 NPS Professor, Space Systems Academic Group
Carlos Noriega, Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Ret) M.S. Computer Science and Space Systems Operations Naval Postgraduate School Selected as an astronaut in 1995
7 Participating Astronauts
Alan Poindexter, Captain, USN M.S. Aeronautical Engineering, 1995 Naval Postgraduate School Selected as an astronaut in 1998
Ken Reightler, Captain, USN (Ret) M.S. Aeronautical Engineering, 1984 Naval Postgraduate School Selected as an astronaut in 1987
Mario Runco, Commander, USN (Ret) B.S. Earth and Planetary Science, City College of NY M.S. Atmospheric Physics, Rutgers University 1976 Selected as an astronaut in 1987
Rusty Schweickart B.S. 1956 and M.S. 1963 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Selected as an astronaut in 1963
Winston Scott, Captain, USN, (Ret) M.S. Aeronautical Engineering, 1980 Naval Postgraduate School Selected as an astronaut in 1992
Tom Jones, PhD B.S. United States Air Force Academy, 1977 PhD Planetary Science University of Arizona, 1988 Selected as an astronaut in 1990
8 Featured Guests
Chris Adams, CDR, USN (Ret) NPS Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Department of Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering
Robert E. Ball, PhD Distinguished Professor Emeritus Naval Postgraduate School Author of The Fundamentals of Aircraft Combat Survivability
Meghan Buchanan ORION Spacecraft Survivability Lead Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Acknowledgements The Naval Postgraduate School Office of Alumni Relations and Centennial Headquarters and the National Reconnaissance Office Chair acknowledge: ✦ The faculty and staff at NPS, for years of commitment to educating past, present, and future astronauts. ✦ Rudy Panholzer and the Space Systems Academic Group for their dedication to educating our country’s space professionals. ✦ Our returning and visiting astronauts and their spouses. ✦ GSEAS Associate Dean Chris Adams, Professor Robert Ball and guest lecturer Megan Buchanan ✦ The NPS Public Affairs Office and their staff writers, photographers, and videographer. ✦ The NPS Audio Visual department. ✦ Matthew Rose for the NPS Air and Space Week centennial logo. ✦ The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) for supporting today’s event and for providing refreshments. 9