LPI Co-Sponsors “Women in Space” Continuing Studies Course

News Archive

July 24, 2018

From lower right clockwise, NASA astronauts Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Tracy Caldwell Dyson, and Naoko Yamazaki pose for a group photo in the Cupola of the International Space Station (STS-131). (National Archives Catalog/NASA)

The Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is offering a course this fall that introduces women who have played pivotal roles in the U.S. space program, as astronauts, engineers, flight controllers, researchers, and mentors for the next generation of space pioneers. The Lunar and Planetary Institute is a proud co-sponsor.

The eight-week course runs September 25 – November 13, 2018. Louise Prockter, director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute, is one of the distinguished speakers.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Women have played a vital role in the U.S. space program since its inception in the 1940’s. While women were once considered unfit for space travel, the most recent NASA class is 50 percent female. This course examines the impact women have had on space exploration and space science nationally, internationally and here in Houston, and the challenges they have overcome along the way. Speakers include one of the first female flight controllers, a female astronaut, scientists conducting space research and those making preparations to travel back to the moon and beyond.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Sept. 25. “The History of Women in Space.” Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, Ph.D., historian, Johnson Space Center
Oct. 2. “A Woman in NASA’s Mission Control.” Marianne J. Dyson, former NASA flight controller
Oct. 9. “Life on a Space Mission.” NASA Astronaut, to be announced
Oct. 16. “The Role of Human Factors Engineering and Human System Integration in Future Space Exploration.” Mihriban Whitmore, Ph.D., contracting officer’s representative, Human Health and Performance Directorate, Johnson Space Center
Oct. 23. “International Space Station Science Accomplishments and Benefits of Research.” Julie Robinson, Ph.D., chief scientist, International Space Station; Johnson Space Center
Oct. 30. “Robotic Exploration of the Solar System.” Louise Prockter, Ph.D., director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute
Nov. 6. “The New Moon: Living and Working in Space.” Patricia Reiff, Ph.D., associate director for public outreach, Rice Space Institute and professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University Nov. 13. “Cultivating the Next Generation of Female Space Pioneers.” Carolyn Sumners, Ed.D., vice president of astronomy, Houston Museum of Natural Science; adjunct professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University

For more information, visit glasscock.rice.edu/courses/women-space.