Virtual Public Lecture on Thursday, November 12
November 3, 2020
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites inquisitive adults interested in current topics in space science and exploration to join us for the second presentation in the 2020–2021 Cosmic Explorations Speaker Series given by Dr. Jennifer Heldmann from NASA Ames Research Center. The presentation will be held virtually on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. CST.
Watch the presentation hereDr. Heldmann will discuss the NASA rover scheduled to fly to the Moon’s South Polar region in late 2023. VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) will roam several kilometers as it checks for water ice and other resources buried beneath the surface. VIPER will explore terrains including permanently shadowed regions and temporarily sunlit locations.
Over the next ten years, five spacecraft will launch into the solar system to explore ten incredibly diverse objects. This armada of spacecraft will set their sights on the Moon, Europa, Titan, and seven asteroids. The 2020-2021 Cosmic Explorations Speaker Series, “To the Moon, asteroids, and beyond: The coming decade of solar system exploration,” features scientific leaders of these exciting missions, each describing how their mission will contribute to our growing, ever-changing knowledge of the solar system.
Until further notice, all presentations in the 2020-2021 series will be virtual. Information for connecting to the presentation will be available on the series’ webpage. Recordings of past presentations are available on LPI’s YouTube channel.
2020–2021 Cosmic Explorations Speaker Series
| September 3, 2020 | Dr. Cathy Olkin, Southwest Research Institute Lucy mission to Trojan Asteroids |
| October 15, 2020 | Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton, Arizona State University Psyche: Journey to a Metallic World (recording coming soon). |
| November 12, 2020 | Dr. Jennifer Heldmann, NASA Ames Research Center VIPER mission to the Moon Join here. |
| Winter 2021 | Europa Clipper mission Speaker TBD |
| Winter/Spring 2021 | Dragonfly mission to Titan Speaker TBD |
