openDoor: Exploring the Cosmos, May 2001

In This Edition

Exploring the Cosmos

Part 1: Learning from the Cosmos

Part 2: Going in to Space

Part 3: Tools of Discovery

Questions & Answers

Prof. Claude Canizares

Prof. Dava Newman, SM '89, PhD '92

Cady Coleman '83

Paul Filmer, PhD '92

Christopher Carr '99

Shana Diez '02

Carl Dietrich '99

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Space Control at Lincoln
The Space Control Program at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory develops satellite surveillance technology and systems that track and assess satellites and other space objects.

Ten-million degree eruptions on the sun's face are visible for the first time through the Chandra X-ray Observatory, a collaborative project involving MIT leadership. Not only does Center for Space Research Director Claude Canizares play a leading role among many MIT contributors, but astronaut Cady Coleman '83 , pressed the button that released Chandra from the Space Shuttle Columbia's cargo bay and into orbit. The 1999 mission involving Coleman, the 22nd MIT graduate in space, brought to one third the NASA flights including an alumni/ae astronaut or payload specialist.

MIT's investment in space--building new knowledge and new tools for observing as well as exploring the cosmos--is extensive. This month, openDOOR explores MIT's own race to space:

MIT students explore the cosmos in many ways. Last fall, 49 freshman plunged into space with a cross-disciplinary course, MISSION 2004: The Search for Life on Mars, which maintains a web site and video of final presentations. Students can study Space Biomedical Engineering and spend IAP in Hawaii or Arizona at Astronomy Field Camp. The Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium sponsors UROP projects and summer jobs at NASA and at leading aerospace corporations. This spring, the MIT Mars Team is a finalist in the NASA Means Business student competition.

*Banner photo courtesy of NASA. This image from the Chandra X-ray Observatory shows quasar 3C273.

Poll:

Space Projects at Draper
Founded in 1942 by alumnus Charles Stark Draper, '26, SM '28, ScD '38, Draper Laboratory pioneered Apollo space control and navigation systems in the 1960s and today works on projects including the International Space Station.