Dr. Simon “Pete” Worden, Director of NASA’s Ames Research Center, will give a talk at the 15th Annual International Mars Society Convention in Pasadena, California, August 3-5, 2012.   Under Dr. Worden’s leadership, Ames has provided critical R&D support that makes many of NASA’s space exploration missions possible.

Prior to becoming Ames’ director, Dr. Worden was a Research Professor of Astronomy, Optical Sciences and Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona where his primary research direction was the development of large space optics for national security and scientific purposes and near-earth asteroids.

Additionally, Dr. Worden worked on topics related to space exploration and solar-type activity in nearby stars.  He is a recognized expert on space issues — both civil and military.  He has also authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific technical papers in astrophysics, space sciences, and strategic studies. Moreover, he served as a scientific co-investigator for two NASA space science missions.

Call for Papers

Presentations for the International Mars Society Convention are invited dealing with all matters (science, engineering, politics, economics, public policy, etc.) associated with the exploration and settlement of the planet Mars.  

Abstracts of no more than 300 words should be sent by June 30, 2012 to: The Mars Society, 11111 W. 8th Avenue, unit A, Lakewood, CO 80215 or via email to: Marsabstracts@aol.com (e-mail submissions are preferred).

Registration for the International Mars Society Convention in Pasadena is now open online.

[Image: NASA]

By Clara Moskowitz, Space.com, 05.09.12

NEW YORK — Russia is ready and willing to partner with the United States for a manned mission to Mars, a senior Russian space official said recently.

And while NASA has not yet entered into any formal agreement to pursue the Red Planet, the agency's chief agrees that international cooperation is the way to do it.

"I have to say that currently there is no country that could organize a manned spaceflight to Mars and a safe return," Sergey Saveliev, the deputy head of Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos), said April 12 at the United Nations headquarters here to mark the International Day of Human Space Flight.

To read the full article, please click here.

[Image: NASA]