Dr. Marshall Kaplan, a Senior Professional Staffmember at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), will be discussing engineering solutions designed to remove orbital debris. Dr. Kaplan has been teaching courses on space and satellite topics since 1968. His professional experience includes assignments in industry, academia, and consulting. He is currently a senior advisor on military, civil and commercial space activities to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) within the Executive Office of the President (EOP). In recent years, Dr. Kaplan has spearheaded a number of space ventures related to the development of new expendable and reusable launch vehicles. Space News has referred to him as the "rocket design guru." Dr. Kaplan was instrumental in the design and development of three-axis stabilized attitude control systems for communication satellites, and he is the author of three books including the text, "Modern Spacecraft Dynamics and Control." In recent years he has served as chief engineer on two launch vehicle programs. He has written more than 100 papers and reports on various aspects of astronautics. Dr. Kaplan received advanced degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from M.I.T. and Stanford University, and he is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the American Astronautical Society (AAS).

Free lunch provided!

Location: University of Colorado Boulder, University Memorial Center, Aspen Room 285.

November 2008 - Dr. T.S. Kelso (Senior Research Astrodynamicist, CSSI). Dr. Kelso's talk is titled "Improved Conjunction Analysis via Collaborative Space Situational Awareness." Dr. Kelso has nearly thirty years experience in space education, research, analysis, acquisition, development, operations, and consulting with organizations such as: Air Force Space Command Space Analysis Center (ASAC); NASA's Near-Earth Object Science Definition Team; Air Force Chief of Staff’s SPACECAST 2020 and Air Force 2025 future studies; and the Air Force Satellite Control Network.

7:30 – 8:30 PM – Dr. Dan Baker, Director of Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
International Space Science Programs: Basic Research with a High Public Purpose - The exploration of outer space, and the use of platforms in space to monitor the Earth, are increasingly international enterprises. The spacefaring nations of the world have programs to study the moon, the Sun, the other planets of the solar system, and the universe beyond. Space is also the domain from which navigation, communication, reconnaissance, and resource management functions are carried out by civilian and military agencies. Recent decades of experience have shown the significant benefits of international cooperation to pursue scientific research goals. In turn, the products of such basic research have immense potential to improve space situational awareness and to mitigate the effects of "space weather" on human technology. A key to future success of space exploration is to minimize the impacts of laws and regulations such as ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) that have already had a devastating effect on space commerce and basic space research. In this presentation I discuss the conduct of forefront science in the context of sensible, prudent international space policy and evolving governmental regulations.

8:30 – 9:30 PM – AstroJazz performance, Dr. Cherilynn Morrow. Learn about astronomy through jazz!

Register here: http://www.secureworldfoundation.org/index.php?event_id=9&edate=2008-8-22&id=71

Bill Gail (Director of Strategic Development, Microsoft Virtual Earth), will present a talk entitled "Virtual Worlds." Mr. Gail was Vice President at Vexcel Corporation from 2005-2006 and Director at Ball Aerospace from 1991 to 2005. Microsoft Virtual Earth is an integrated set of services that provides quality geospatial data, imagery, cutting-edge technology and dependable performance that helps organizations visualize data and provide immersive end-user experiences.