Open lecture in Astronautics - Dr. Dava Newman

Professor Dava Newman is the Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Harvard–MIT Health, Sciences, and Technology faculty member. She is also served as NASA Deputy Administrator from 2015–2017, nominated by President Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. 

Abstract:

Exploring Space for Earth: Earth’s Vital Signs Revealed
Recent space science missions to Pluto and Jupiter, the discovery of thousands of exoplanets, and orbital missions to monitor Spaceship Earth will be highlighted. 
Humanity will become interplanetary, and is on a journey to Mars. We are closer to reaching the Red Planet with human explorers than we have ever been in our history. Space agencies, academia and industry are working on the technologies and missions
that will enable human “boots on Mars” in the 2030s. We are testing advanced technologies for the next giant leaps of exploration. From solar electric propulsion to cutting edge life support systems, advanced space suit design, to the first crops grown in space, the journey to Mars is already unfolding in tangible ways today for tomorrow.

However, Mars is not ‘Plan B’. Spaceship Earth, our pale blue dot, is the most magnificent planet to inhabit. Earth is speaking to us – are we listening? The past two years have been the hottest recorded on Earth since we began measuring global
climate for the past 140 years. Hundreds of gigatons of ice have been lost in Greenland and Antarctica, and levels of trapped greenhouse gas have reached over 410 parts per million of carbon dioxide. Earth’s vital signs tell a story of a planet in trouble, threatening sea-level rise, ocean acidity and plastic pollution might have disastrous implications for the health of communities worldwide. Actions and solutions to help regenerate to Earth’s oceans, land and air are discussed. The collective actions already underway shine a light on a healthier future between humanity and our home planet.

Professor Dava Newman, former Deputy Administrator of NASA, MIT Apollo Professor of Astronautics at MIT, and an expert in space technology and policy, offers an orbital view
of planet Earth’s interconnected systems through supercomputer data visualizations and stories to demonstrate risks, actions and solutions.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said that the “future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”