vailsymposium

Presented in partnership with 4 Eagle Ranch

“We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people.”–President John F. Kennedy, Rice University, September 12, 1962

Over the past year, from Artemis II’s orbit of the moon to “Project Hail Mary,” our thoughts and eyes have once again been turned towards the skies with a sense of curiosity, adventure and awe. Though “Project Hail Mary” made us think about space and our climate, when you think about NASA, you may not think about the deep ocean, or medical research, or their role as a key player in the search to address climate change.

Join panelists:

• Nicole Stott, NASA astronaut and artist who spent over one hundred days in space aboard the International Space Station and founder of the Space for Art Foundation,
• Bill Todd, Project Manager for Exploration Analogs at Johnson Space Center and the former NASA Undersea Research Team Project Lead; and
• Phil Larson, Chief of Strategy and Engagement for Space Exploration at the John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

as they explore NASA’s mission of “innovating for the benefit of humanity and inspiring the world through discovery.” Stott will share her “Earthrise” insights that “we all live on a planet, we are all Earthlings, and the only border that matters is the thin blue line of atmosphere that protects us.” Todd and Stott will share their “inner space” experiences as Aquanauts and the scientific and personal insights they learned in the process. Learn how NASA is working on tracking climate science and the important message the astronauts have for everyone as “crewmembers of Spaceship Earth.” Larson, Todd and Stott will discuss why we continue missions “Off the Earth, For the Earth,” the science that has developed through innovation, the work that is being done through both NASA and other Space missions, how those missions are benefiting humanity and what we can expect to see on the horizon.

The program will be moderated by Emmy-award winning journalist, Greg Dobbs. Greg covered the U.S. space program for HD Net television, anchoring live from Florida for the last six years of the shuttle program.  He interviewed every crew member pre mission and broadcast from the Kennedy Space Center for every launch and most of the landings.

Doors will open at 4 p.m. with the panelist talk from 5-7 p.m.  Join us ahead of the talk–kids and adults–for a Postcards to Space kids’ art activity, an opportunity to see some of Stott’s art (including one of the art spacesuits developed through the Space for Art Foundation), a rolling documentary and camp lawn games. Food will be available for purchase and there will be a cash bar.

Please note: Adult tickets are $25 and children are free through June, though prices will increase on July 1, so get your tickets early!  Free tickets are available for first responders, active military & veterans, and teachers & school staff. 

Recommended reading available at The Bookworm in Edwards:
“Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet—And Our Mission to Protect It” by Nicole Stott