hey everyone welcome to national Geographics Google hangout my name is
Geographics Google hangout my name is
Geographics Google hangout my name is Andrew physique yes and I’ll be your
Andrew physique yes and I’ll be your
Andrew physique yes and I’ll be your host today and I’m actually a starstruck
host today and I’m actually a starstruck
host today and I’m actually a starstruck columnist here at National Geographic
columnist here at National Geographic
columnist here at National Geographic you know as a science writer who
you know as a science writer who
you know as a science writer who specializes in space
specializes in space
specializes in space I get like an awesome job of
I get like an awesome job of
I get like an awesome job of interviewing and talking with some of
interviewing and talking with some of
interviewing and talking with some of the most amazing explorers of space be
the most amazing explorers of space be
the most amazing explorers of space be they scientists working a lab using a
they scientists working a lab using a
they scientists working a lab using a telescope using space robotics on other
telescope using space robotics on other
telescope using space robotics on other planets are actually traveling out in
planets are actually traveling out in
planets are actually traveling out in space it’s so cool and today I get to
space it’s so cool and today I get to
space it’s so cool and today I get to share some amazing conversation with
share some amazing conversation with
share some amazing conversation with some really front-of-the-line space
some really front-of-the-line space
some really front-of-the-line space explorers where will be joining me today
explorers where will be joining me today
explorers where will be joining me today on our on our chat and of course you can
on our on our chat and of course you can
on our on our chat and of course you can join in on the conversation too by
join in on the conversation too by
join in on the conversation too by sending us your questions live we try to
sending us your questions live we try to
sending us your questions live we try to answer some of them well by using
answer some of them well by using
answer some of them well by using hashtag let’s explore all one word
hashtag let’s explore all one word
hashtag let’s explore all one word that’s hashtag let’s explore so
that’s hashtag let’s explore so
that’s hashtag let’s explore so basically we’ve got some amazing lineup
basically we’ve got some amazing lineup
basically we’ve got some amazing lineup of folks here so let’s start introducing
of folks here so let’s start introducing
of folks here so let’s start introducing them first up we’ve got Constance Adams
them first up we’ve got Constance Adams
them first up we’ve got Constance Adams she’s got a really cool title
she’s got a really cool title
she’s got a really cool title she’s a space architect I love that I
she’s a space architect I love that I
she’s a space architect I love that I want to know more about this this sounds
want to know more about this this sounds
want to know more about this this sounds really fascinating hi Constance how you
really fascinating hi Constance how you
really fascinating hi Constance how you doing hey Andrea I’m great thanks how
doing hey Andrea I’m great thanks how
doing hey Andrea I’m great thanks how are you very good this is exciting stuff
are you very good this is exciting stuff
are you very good this is exciting stuff I want to hear all about what you’re
I want to hear all about what you’re
I want to hear all about what you’re doing
doing
doing let’s and hold on though where’s we’ve
let’s and hold on though where’s we’ve
let’s and hold on though where’s we’ve got some more amazing people here we’ve
got some more amazing people here we’ve
got some more amazing people here we’ve got Beth in the Elmen who’s a planetary
got Beth in the Elmen who’s a planetary
got Beth in the Elmen who’s a planetary geologist and National Geographic
geologist and National Geographic
geologist and National Geographic Explorer 2 and she specializes on a
Explorer 2 and she specializes on a
Explorer 2 and she specializes on a planetary geology looking at now
planetary geology looking at now
planetary geology looking at now Mars she’s involved at the Jet
Mars she’s involved at the Jet
Mars she’s involved at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory looking at using
Propulsion Laboratory looking at using
Propulsion Laboratory looking at using actually the Mars Curiosity rover so
actually the Mars Curiosity rover so
actually the Mars Curiosity rover so that’s really cool hi Bethany
that’s really cool hi Bethany
that’s really cool hi Bethany hi there Andrew hi everyone that’s cool
hi there Andrew hi everyone that’s cool
hi there Andrew hi everyone that’s cool and here and we’ve got Kevin hands who’s
and here and we’ve got Kevin hands who’s
and here and we’ve got Kevin hands who’s also an amazing scientist who’s got
also an amazing scientist who’s got
also an amazing scientist who’s got something really cool I think that’s
something really cool I think that’s
something really cool I think that’s really something I I think we’re gonna
really something I I think we’re gonna
really something I I think we’re gonna hear much more about in the coming years
hear much more about in the coming years
hear much more about in the coming years looking at gyro
looking at gyro
looking at gyro and exploring Europa he works again at
and exploring Europa he works again at
and exploring Europa he works again at Jet Propulsion laboratories and Kevin
Jet Propulsion laboratories and Kevin
Jet Propulsion laboratories and Kevin you’re joining us from Houston right
you’re joining us from Houston right
you’re joining us from Houston right that’s right both Bethany and I are
that’s right both Bethany and I are
that’s right both Bethany and I are actually at a conference in Houston
actually at a conference in Houston
actually at a conference in Houston right now that is detailing a lot of
right now that is detailing a lot of
right now that is detailing a lot of planetary science and new discoveries a
planetary science and new discoveries a
planetary science and new discoveries a fun week ah very cool very cool and and
fun week ah very cool very cool and and
fun week ah very cool very cool and and of course last but not least we’ve got a
of course last but not least we’ve got a
of course last but not least we’ve got a NASA astronaut piers sellers he’s a
NASA astronaut piers sellers he’s a
NASA astronaut piers sellers he’s a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions
veteran of three Space Shuttle missions
veteran of three Space Shuttle missions and he’s joining us to share his
and he’s joining us to share his
and he’s joining us to share his experience with space as well hi hi
experience with space as well hi hi
experience with space as well hi hi Pierce hello and I’m not in Houston I’m
Pierce hello and I’m not in Houston I’m
Pierce hello and I’m not in Houston I’m in outside DC and cloud Space Flight
in outside DC and cloud Space Flight
in outside DC and cloud Space Flight Center yes we’re all over the place
Center yes we’re all over the place
Center yes we’re all over the place should say I’m actually I’m actually
should say I’m actually I’m actually
should say I’m actually I’m actually calling in from Montreal Canada so we’re
calling in from Montreal Canada so we’re
calling in from Montreal Canada so we’re literally all over the place on the
literally all over the place on the
literally all over the place on the continent and peers by the way what’s
continent and peers by the way what’s
continent and peers by the way what’s that picture I see just above left your
that picture I see just above left your
that picture I see just above left your head I can see something very
head I can see something very
head I can see something very interesting is that you perhaps that was
interesting is that you perhaps that was
interesting is that you perhaps that was me um a few years ago a friend of mine
me um a few years ago a friend of mine
me um a few years ago a friend of mine Mike Fossum who was outside the Space
Mike Fossum who was outside the Space
Mike Fossum who was outside the Space Shuttle with me took that picture and
Shuttle with me took that picture and
Shuttle with me took that picture and you can actually if you racked it up
you can actually if you racked it up
you can actually if you racked it up you’d see there’s a bit of space shuttle
you’d see there’s a bit of space shuttle
you’d see there’s a bit of space shuttle in the background but lots of Earth and
in the background but lots of Earth and
in the background but lots of Earth and it’s one of my favorite pictures of me
it’s one of my favorite pictures of me
it’s one of my favorite pictures of me because my visor is down and you can’t
because my visor is down and you can’t
because my visor is down and you can’t see my face but everything else is
see my face but everything else is
see my face but everything else is beautiful it looks like you had an
beautiful it looks like you had an
beautiful it looks like you had an amazing view out there I mean you can
amazing view out there I mean you can
amazing view out there I mean you can literally see the earth float by
literally see the earth float by
literally see the earth float by underneath you that must be hard
underneath you that must be hard
underneath you that must be hard stopping it is you know you’re hanging
stopping it is you know you’re hanging
stopping it is you know you’re hanging outside the spacecraft doing about five
outside the spacecraft doing about five
outside the spacecraft doing about five miles per second so as you look down you
miles per second so as you look down you
miles per second so as you look down you can see continents just slowly unroll in
can see continents just slowly unroll in
can see continents just slowly unroll in front of you and when you look ahead we
front of you and when you look ahead we
front of you and when you look ahead we look out to the horizon which is about
look out to the horizon which is about
look out to the horizon which is about over a thousand miles away about 1,400
over a thousand miles away about 1,400
over a thousand miles away about 1,400 miles away clearly see the curve of the
miles away clearly see the curve of the
miles away clearly see the curve of the earth back sky and the whole like a huge
earth back sky and the whole like a huge
earth back sky and the whole like a huge ball that slowly Rolly rolling you know
ball that slowly Rolly rolling you know
ball that slowly Rolly rolling you know rotating underneath you it’s absolutely
rotating underneath you it’s absolutely
rotating underneath you it’s absolutely beautiful good love it better that’s
beautiful good love it better that’s
beautiful good love it better that’s amazing yeah and I got to ask you I mean
amazing yeah and I got to ask you I mean
amazing yeah and I got to ask you I mean the movie gravity did you see that I did
the movie gravity did you see that I did
the movie gravity did you see that I did and what did you what did you think of
and what did you what did you think of
and what did you what did you think of the views from her is it like is it is
the views from her is it like is it is
the views from her is it like is it is it
it
it is it the the best way that maybe all of
is it the the best way that maybe all of
is it the the best way that maybe all of us mere mortals might be able to
us mere mortals might be able to
us mere mortals might be able to experience nice you know what the the
experience nice you know what the the
experience nice you know what the the views of Earth in gravity and I went to
views of Earth in gravity and I went to
views of Earth in gravity and I went to see it in IMAX I you know I’ve paid the
see it in IMAX I you know I’ve paid the
see it in IMAX I you know I’ve paid the full sixteen dollars one eight dollars
full sixteen dollars one eight dollars
full sixteen dollars one eight dollars we drive from there bid are spot on
we drive from there bid are spot on
we drive from there bid are spot on they’re really very realistic I had the
they’re really very realistic I had the
they’re really very realistic I had the feeling this was terribly familiar so
feeling this was terribly familiar so
feeling this was terribly familiar so you know stand off the money go and see
you know stand off the money go and see
you know stand off the money go and see it and that’s pretty much what it looks
it and that’s pretty much what it looks
it and that’s pretty much what it looks like it’s they were very very realistic
like it’s they were very very realistic
like it’s they were very very realistic a lot of stuff in there wasn’t so
a lot of stuff in there wasn’t so
a lot of stuff in there wasn’t so realistic but it was fun so you know
realistic but it was fun so you know
realistic but it was fun so you know that’s great listen Pierce can you just
that’s great listen Pierce can you just
that’s great listen Pierce can you just briefly tell everyone in the audience
briefly tell everyone in the audience
briefly tell everyone in the audience exactly your experience as an astronaut
exactly your experience as an astronaut
exactly your experience as an astronaut a little bit about yourself well I think
a little bit about yourself well I think
a little bit about yourself well I think things that people would well you know
things that people would well you know
things that people would well you know bare bones of it I I had a lot to be an
bare bones of it I I had a lot to be an
bare bones of it I I had a lot to be an astronaut during the phase where we were
astronaut during the phase where we were
astronaut during the phase where we were building Space Station so I went up to
building Space Station so I went up to
building Space Station so I went up to Space Station three times you know once
Space Station three times you know once
Space Station three times you know once when it was not much of it there a bit
when it was not much of it there a bit
when it was not much of it there a bit in the middle to help recover Space
in the middle to help recover Space
in the middle to help recover Space Station after Columbia and we hadn’t
Station after Columbia and we hadn’t
Station after Columbia and we hadn’t been there for a while so we’re up there
been there for a while so we’re up there
been there for a while so we’re up there fixing it a lot of stuff had broken and
fixing it a lot of stuff had broken and
fixing it a lot of stuff had broken and then the last mission I went on it was
then the last mission I went on it was
then the last mission I went on it was complete that was in 2010 and the whole
complete that was in 2010 and the whole
complete that was in 2010 and the whole place was just done finalized and it
place was just done finalized and it
place was just done finalized and it looked absolutely tremendous you know
looked absolutely tremendous you know
looked absolutely tremendous you know 500 ton ship sailing around the earth so
500 ton ship sailing around the earth so
500 ton ship sailing around the earth so that was you know our generation of
that was you know our generation of
that was you know our generation of astronauts got to do work which assemble
astronauts got to do work which assemble
astronauts got to do work which assemble something large on orbit fantastic and
something large on orbit fantastic and
something large on orbit fantastic and talking about the the space station and
talking about the the space station and
talking about the the space station and everything in terms of construction and
everything in terms of construction and
everything in terms of construction and everything I think constants you may
everything I think constants you may
everything I think constants you may have something to say about it maybe you
have something to say about it maybe you
have something to say about it maybe you could you can talk a little bit about
could you can talk a little bit about
could you can talk a little bit about your experience and in relation to our
your experience and in relation to our
your experience and in relation to our space architecture well sure I mean
space architecture well sure I mean
space architecture well sure I mean station was I was privileged to work on
station was I was privileged to work on
station was I was privileged to work on that for about half of the time that I
that for about half of the time that I
that for about half of the time that I was at Johnson Space Center and and
was at Johnson Space Center and and
was at Johnson Space Center and and because the most sighting part probably
because the most sighting part probably
because the most sighting part probably was when I was I was working to
was when I was I was working to
was when I was I was working to integrate that Japanese modules with the
integrate that Japanese modules with the
integrate that Japanese modules with the operations in the on the space station
operations in the on the space station
operations in the on the space station and the very day-to-day operations just
and the very day-to-day operations just
and the very day-to-day operations just the tasks involved in piecing together
the tasks involved in piecing together
the tasks involved in piecing together this extraordinary
this extraordinary
this extraordinary this extraordinary facility you know
this extraordinary facility you know
this extraordinary facility you know never before in human history has this
never before in human history has this
never before in human history has this kind of resource been jointly by
kind of resource been jointly by
kind of resource been jointly by multiple nations into something that was
multiple nations into something that was
multiple nations into something that was non-military
non-military
non-military in nature and you know simply about
in nature and you know simply about
in nature and you know simply about about an idea about the future and and
about an idea about the future and and
about an idea about the future and and moving forward and and curiosity and
moving forward and and curiosity and
moving forward and and curiosity and it’s been wonderful to work with because
it’s been wonderful to work with because
it’s been wonderful to work with because you know each of these different
you know each of these different
you know each of these different countries with whom we’ve worked while
countries with whom we’ve worked while
countries with whom we’ve worked while the the basic architecture of space
the the basic architecture of space
the the basic architecture of space station of part of space station is
station of part of space station is
station of part of space station is either
either
either Russian or generated from the US
Russian or generated from the US
Russian or generated from the US operating segment still there are little
operating segment still there are little
operating segment still there are little details you know in which the
details you know in which the
details you know in which the engineering culture of all of these
engineering culture of all of these
engineering culture of all of these different places I mean within Europe
different places I mean within Europe
different places I mean within Europe there are several different engineering
there are several different engineering
there are several different engineering cultures the French and the Italians
cultures the French and the Italians
cultures the French and the Italians they’re very different to work with
they’re very different to work with
they’re very different to work with right in the Germans and then the
right in the Germans and then the
right in the Germans and then the Russians and the Japanese and Brazilians
Russians and the Japanese and Brazilians
Russians and the Japanese and Brazilians and the Canadians and ourselves we all
and the Canadians and ourselves we all
and the Canadians and ourselves we all have a very different approaches to
have a very different approaches to
have a very different approaches to engineering and and integrating those
engineering and and integrating those
engineering and and integrating those together you know the true brilliance of
together you know the true brilliance of
together you know the true brilliance of the space station I’ve recently been
the space station I’ve recently been
the space station I’ve recently been working on an essay and a book on the
working on an essay and a book on the
working on an essay and a book on the history of the space station as an
history of the space station as an
history of the space station as an architectural artifact and um you know
architectural artifact and um you know
architectural artifact and um you know that project survived about a 30-year I
that project survived about a 30-year I
that project survived about a 30-year I survived the Challenger accident it
survived the Challenger accident it
survived the Challenger accident it survived the you know joint the complete
survived the you know joint the complete
survived the you know joint the complete change in architecture when we added on
change in architecture when we added on
change in architecture when we added on international partners survived the
international partners survived the
international partners survived the Columbia accident and the retirement of
Columbia accident and the retirement of
Columbia accident and the retirement of the Space Shuttle itself which is this
the Space Shuttle itself which is this
the Space Shuttle itself which is this the primary truck the logistics you know
the primary truck the logistics you know
the primary truck the logistics you know by which we got the pieces to the
by which we got the pieces to the
by which we got the pieces to the construction site right and and it’s
construction site right and and it’s
construction site right and and it’s still going and the fundamental thing is
still going and the fundamental thing is
still going and the fundamental thing is that it’s all strictly modular there was
that it’s all strictly modular there was
that it’s all strictly modular there was a decision made sometime in the mid 70s
a decision made sometime in the mid 70s
a decision made sometime in the mid 70s late 70s to go with with a sort of
late 70s to go with with a sort of
late 70s to go with with a sort of plug-and-play modularity so you’ve had a
plug-and-play modularity so you’ve had a
plug-and-play modularity so you’ve had a few basic modules you have you know the
few basic modules you have you know the
few basic modules you have you know the habitation module that sent off you have
habitation module that sent off you have
habitation module that sent off you have the racks the equipment racks inside and
the racks the equipment racks inside and
the racks the equipment racks inside and then you have the cargo components that
then you have the cargo components that
then you have the cargo components that fit in those and then you have trust
fit in those and then you have trust
fit in those and then you have trust modules and those are the four basic
modules and those are the four basic
modules and those are the four basic or components that make it possible um
or components that make it possible um
or components that make it possible um so anyway that’s some quick description
so anyway that’s some quick description
so anyway that’s some quick description I guess of what I find exciting about
I guess of what I find exciting about
I guess of what I find exciting about the space station so that’s amazing so
the space station so that’s amazing so
the space station so that’s amazing so we’ll definitely have to have to pick
we’ll definitely have to have to pick
we’ll definitely have to have to pick your brain a little bit there but I want
your brain a little bit there but I want
your brain a little bit there but I want to move on to Bethany you you actually
to move on to Bethany you you actually
to move on to Bethany you you actually are now moving a little bit farther away
are now moving a little bit farther away
are now moving a little bit farther away from low-earth orbit out into
from low-earth orbit out into
from low-earth orbit out into interplanetary space in fact to our
interplanetary space in fact to our
interplanetary space in fact to our nearest neighbor ours you’ve been you’ve
nearest neighbor ours you’ve been you’ve
nearest neighbor ours you’ve been you’ve been really fortunate enough to be
been really fortunate enough to be
been really fortunate enough to be involved in the latest Mars rover
involved in the latest Mars rover
involved in the latest Mars rover mission curiosity which is really just
mission curiosity which is really just
mission curiosity which is really just getting started I guess in this mission
getting started I guess in this mission
getting started I guess in this mission alright and maybe you can tell us a
alright and maybe you can tell us a
alright and maybe you can tell us a little bit about what your role is in
little bit about what your role is in
little bit about what your role is in that mission sure so so I’m one of the
that mission sure so so I’m one of the
that mission sure so so I’m one of the the members of the science team of that
the members of the science team of that
the members of the science team of that of that of that mission let’s see maybe
of that of that mission let’s see maybe
of that of that mission let’s see maybe I can get the screen and switch over to
I can get the screen and switch over to
I can get the screen and switch over to me I don’t know okay well I can tell you
me I don’t know okay well I can tell you
me I don’t know okay well I can tell you about it anyway what’s back and forth
about it anyway what’s back and forth
about it anyway what’s back and forth but uh so so I’m one of the I’m one of
but uh so so I’m one of the I’m one of
but uh so so I’m one of the I’m one of the members of the science team of that
the members of the science team of that
the members of the science team of that Minden and one of the things I do is is
Minden and one of the things I do is is
Minden and one of the things I do is is play a part in the day-to-day role of
play a part in the day-to-day role of
play a part in the day-to-day role of deciding what to do in curiosity so
deciding what to do in curiosity so
deciding what to do in curiosity so deciding where to drive what to drill
deciding where to drive what to drill
deciding where to drive what to drill and so Mars is between 10 minutes and 25
and so Mars is between 10 minutes and 25
and so Mars is between 10 minutes and 25 minutes away so we don’t didn’t a
minutes away so we don’t didn’t a
minutes away so we don’t didn’t a control room enjoys ticket rather
control room enjoys ticket rather
control room enjoys ticket rather there’s a there’s a hours long it’s
there’s a there’s a hours long it’s
there’s a there’s a hours long it’s about 14 hours end-to-end long technical
about 14 hours end-to-end long technical
about 14 hours end-to-end long technical process from getting the data on the
process from getting the data on the
process from getting the data on the ground working hard to put it together
ground working hard to put it together
ground working hard to put it together into a plan and then sending that plan
into a plan and then sending that plan
into a plan and then sending that plan up to Mars it’s amazing amazing and I
up to Mars it’s amazing amazing and I
up to Mars it’s amazing amazing and I guess that time-delayed that doesn’t
guess that time-delayed that doesn’t
guess that time-delayed that doesn’t that doesn’t help a in terms of doing
that doesn’t help a in terms of doing
that doesn’t help a in terms of doing your work because you have that it’s so
your work because you have that it’s so
your work because you have that it’s so such a distance that signals take so
such a distance that signals take so
such a distance that signals take so long to get there and then come back and
long to get there and then come back and
long to get there and then come back and I guess that must be a little bit
I guess that must be a little bit
I guess that must be a little bit nerve-wracking to wait to know if your
nerve-wracking to wait to know if your
nerve-wracking to wait to know if your commands really worked out directly
commands really worked out directly
commands really worked out directly that’s absolutely right we can only go
that’s absolutely right we can only go
that’s absolutely right we can only go one day at a time
one day at a time
one day at a time and so we all eagerly eagerly await and
and so we all eagerly eagerly await and
and so we all eagerly eagerly await and see the data on on the ground from the
see the data on on the ground from the
see the data on on the ground from the from the previous day’s
from the previous day’s
from the previous day’s and most days it’s absolutely smooth
and most days it’s absolutely smooth
and most days it’s absolutely smooth what happened on Mars just what we
what happened on Mars just what we
what happened on Mars just what we expected to happen on Mars and we’ve got
expected to happen on Mars and we’ve got
expected to happen on Mars and we’ve got a treasure trove of new science data but
a treasure trove of new science data but
a treasure trove of new science data but every once in a while Mars tosses the
every once in a while Mars tosses the
every once in a while Mars tosses the curveball and then we have to react to
curveball and then we have to react to
curveball and then we have to react to it and figure out what to figure out
it and figure out what to figure out
it and figure out what to figure out what to do to turn it turn it around for
what to do to turn it turn it around for
what to do to turn it turn it around for the for the next uplink window that’s
the for the next uplink window that’s
the for the next uplink window that’s amazing that’s very very cool
amazing that’s very very cool
amazing that’s very very cool Melissa we’ll come back to you in a few
Melissa we’ll come back to you in a few
Melissa we’ll come back to you in a few minutes with some questions now I want I
minutes with some questions now I want I
minutes with some questions now I want I got to get to Kevin hand Kevin you are
got to get to Kevin hand Kevin you are
got to get to Kevin hand Kevin you are even working farther away your your your
even working farther away your your your
even working farther away your your your objective here is it’s one of the moons
objective here is it’s one of the moons
objective here is it’s one of the moons of Jupiter you robot focus your work
of Jupiter you robot focus your work
of Jupiter you robot focus your work focus is when I believe in and there I
focus is when I believe in and there I
focus is when I believe in and there I mean what does time delay is what I was
mean what does time delay is what I was
mean what does time delay is what I was like three-quarters of an hour for
like three-quarters of an hour for
like three-quarters of an hour for sending a spacecraft there am i right
sending a spacecraft there am i right
sending a spacecraft there am i right that’s really far yeah all depends on
that’s really far yeah all depends on
that’s really far yeah all depends on where Jupiter is relative in our
where Jupiter is relative in our
where Jupiter is relative in our respective orbits and the primary or at
respective orbits and the primary or at
respective orbits and the primary or at least the Probation that that I had for
least the Probation that that I had for
least the Probation that that I had for exploring this this beautiful little
exploring this this beautiful little
exploring this this beautiful little moon is the search for living life like
moon is the search for living life like
moon is the search for living life like that’s alive today and when you look out
that’s alive today and when you look out
that’s alive today and when you look out in our solar system world’s moons in
in our solar system world’s moons in
in our solar system world’s moons in fact of the outer solar system that are
fact of the outer solar system that are
fact of the outer solar system that are covered in ice yet beneath their icy
covered in ice yet beneath their icy
covered in ice yet beneath their icy shells we have very good reason to give
shells we have very good reason to give
shells we have very good reason to give that vast liquid water ocean exists
that vast liquid water ocean exists
that vast liquid water ocean exists there’s air today liquid water oceans
there’s air today liquid water oceans
there’s air today liquid water oceans there today and many of these oceans we
there today and many of these oceans we
there today and many of these oceans we think you persisted for much of the
think you persisted for much of the
think you persisted for much of the history of the solar system and Europa
history of the solar system and Europa
history of the solar system and Europa is the prime place to go to search for
is the prime place to go to search for
is the prime place to go to search for life within one of these ice-covered
life within one of these ice-covered
life within one of these ice-covered oceans that might be alive and
oceans that might be alive and
oceans that might be alive and potentially swimming around in that
potentially swimming around in that
potentially swimming around in that little ocean today that’s amazing so
little ocean today that’s amazing so
little ocean today that’s amazing so when you’re at Europa I mean do you
when you’re at Europa I mean do you
when you’re at Europa I mean do you really think there may be like there is
really think there may be like there is
really think there may be like there is that what our science is thinking about
that what our science is thinking about
that what our science is thinking about about Europa biology is frustrating in
about Europa biology is frustrating in
about Europa biology is frustrating in that there’s not really first principles
that there’s not really first principles
that there’s not really first principles we’ve got
we’ve got
we’ve got evolution by crowds physics and I love
evolution by crowds physics and I love
evolution by crowds physics and I love being able to start with fundamental
being able to start with fundamental
being able to start with fundamental equations we don’t really have that
equations we don’t really have that
equations we don’t really have that luxury
luxury
luxury biology but we can use life on earth as
biology but we can use life on earth as
biology but we can use life on earth as a guide for what it takes for a world
a guide for what it takes for a world
a guide for what it takes for a world and life on Earth miss Tony said where
and life on Earth miss Tony said where
and life on Earth miss Tony said where you have the liquid water we have access
you have the liquid water we have access
you have the liquid water we have access to the elements the building blocks of
to the elements the building blocks of
to the elements the building blocks of life and where you have access to some
life and where you have access to some
life and where you have access to some form of energy be it photons or parent
form of energy be it photons or parent
form of energy be it photons or parent star or chemical energy events you bring
star or chemical energy events you bring
star or chemical energy events you bring those three things together and life
those three things together and life
those three things together and life typically finds a way at least on earth
typically finds a way at least on earth
typically finds a way at least on earth so on Europa we think those three key
so on Europa we think those three key
so on Europa we think those three key stones of habitability come together and
stones of habitability come together and
stones of habitability come together and so with earth is a guide rope it is a
so with earth is a guide rope it is a
so with earth is a guide rope it is a prime place that the search for life as
prime place that the search for life as
prime place that the search for life as we know it
we know it
we know it that’s amazing amazing stuff I mean this
that’s amazing amazing stuff I mean this
that’s amazing amazing stuff I mean this is so exciting I’m again the the work
is so exciting I’m again the the work
is so exciting I’m again the the work that you guys are doing is impressive
that you guys are doing is impressive
that you guys are doing is impressive it’s such a variety that we have here so
it’s such a variety that we have here so
it’s such a variety that we have here so I want to move on to some of those
I want to move on to some of those
I want to move on to some of those questions from folks out there oh we
questions from folks out there oh we
questions from folks out there oh we have a few questions from social media
have a few questions from social media
have a few questions from social media I’m just looking at some of some some of
I’m just looking at some of some some of
I’m just looking at some of some some of them coming in we’ve got one from Steve
them coming in we’ve got one from Steve
them coming in we’ve got one from Steve Perry from California that’s coming in
Perry from California that’s coming in
Perry from California that’s coming in he’s got a question on Google+ for
he’s got a question on Google+ for
he’s got a question on Google+ for Bethany Bethany this one’s for you over
Bethany Bethany this one’s for you over
Bethany Bethany this one’s for you over the next 20 or so years what do you feel
the next 20 or so years what do you feel
the next 20 or so years what do you feel are the most exciting robotic
are the most exciting robotic
are the most exciting robotic exploration opportunities before us and
exploration opportunities before us and
exploration opportunities before us and what insights might you expect us to
what insights might you expect us to
what insights might you expect us to learn Bethany
oh I’m not hearing Bethany okay so are
oh I’m not hearing Bethany okay so are you hearing me reaction we’ve got you
you hearing me reaction we’ve got you
you hearing me reaction we’ve got you you’ve got me all right great so so on
you’ve got me all right great so so on
you’ve got me all right great so so on I’ll start with the planet that I work
I’ll start with the planet that I work
I’ll start with the planet that I work on the most and that is Mars and I think
on the most and that is Mars and I think
on the most and that is Mars and I think the thing I’m most excited about is the
the thing I’m most excited about is the
the thing I’m most excited about is the potential in future decades to head to
potential in future decades to head to
potential in future decades to head to do two things one is to potentially
do two things one is to potentially
do two things one is to potentially bring samples back from the surface and
bring samples back from the surface and
bring samples back from the surface and in fact the next Rover going in 2020
in fact the next Rover going in 2020
in fact the next Rover going in 2020 would take those first steps toward that
would take those first steps toward that
would take those first steps toward that collecting a cache of rocks to bring
collecting a cache of rocks to bring
collecting a cache of rocks to bring back in a laboratory that then a later
back in a laboratory that then a later
back in a laboratory that then a later mission would come grab and launch off
mission would come grab and launch off
mission would come grab and launch off the surface so that’s one thing but then
the surface so that’s one thing but then
the surface so that’s one thing but then but then after that I think what I’d
but then after that I think what I’d
but then after that I think what I’d like to do in the decade following is
like to do in the decade following is
like to do in the decade following is it’s ahead some places on the planet
it’s ahead some places on the planet
it’s ahead some places on the planet it’s a little hard to land rougher but
it’s a little hard to land rougher but
it’s a little hard to land rougher but with great strategy so you think
with great strategy so you think
with great strategy so you think repelling down the canyons of Valles
repelling down the canyons of Valles
repelling down the canyons of Valles Marineris with with something that that
Marineris with with something that that
Marineris with with something that that repels in at each stratum measures
repels in at each stratum measures
repels in at each stratum measures chemistry or doing the same thing at the
chemistry or doing the same thing at the
chemistry or doing the same thing at the polar ice caps of Mars so going
polar ice caps of Mars so going
polar ice caps of Mars so going somewhere we can vertically read the
somewhere we can vertically read the
somewhere we can vertically read the record in ice and rock of time so that’s
record in ice and rock of time so that’s
record in ice and rock of time so that’s what excites me about Mars is looking at
what excites me about Mars is looking at
what excites me about Mars is looking at the history of our solar system the
the history of our solar system the
the history of our solar system the other two planets that are really
other two planets that are really
other two planets that are really exciting to me I think we can make a
exciting to me I think we can make a
exciting to me I think we can make a huge front steps forward and
huge front steps forward and
huge front steps forward and understanding are going to Venus so
understanding are going to Venus so
understanding are going to Venus so Venus is about the same size as Earth
Venus is about the same size as Earth
Venus is about the same size as Earth but it’s sort of like our evil twin it
but it’s sort of like our evil twin it
but it’s sort of like our evil twin it has this incredibly hot atmosphere with
has this incredibly hot atmosphere with
has this incredibly hot atmosphere with with carbon dioxide sulfur dioxide
with carbon dioxide sulfur dioxide
with carbon dioxide sulfur dioxide inhospitable the question is why did it
inhospitable the question is why did it
inhospitable the question is why did it get this way but I’d love to send a
get this way but I’d love to send a
get this way but I’d love to send a mission the shoot through the atmosphere
mission the shoot through the atmosphere
mission the shoot through the atmosphere of Venus understand it land on the first
of Venus understand it land on the first
of Venus understand it land on the first surface and then I think I’ll join Kevin
surface and then I think I’ll join Kevin
surface and then I think I’ll join Kevin in the exploration of Europa I’d love to
in the exploration of Europa I’d love to
in the exploration of Europa I’d love to see what lies underneath and get down to
see what lies underneath and get down to
see what lies underneath and get down to the surface and investigate what’s in
the surface and investigate what’s in
the surface and investigate what’s in the ocean I mean I said you know
the ocean I mean I said you know
the ocean I mean I said you know somebody who’s just you know who really
somebody who’s just you know who really
somebody who’s just you know who really is a space geek and looking I mean the
is a space geek and looking I mean the
is a space geek and looking I mean the idea of Europa having this this ocean
idea of Europa having this this ocean
idea of Europa having this this ocean and you know just hidden it’s hidden
and you know just hidden it’s hidden
and you know just hidden it’s hidden what a mystery you know I mean Hollywood
what a mystery you know I mean Hollywood
what a mystery you know I mean Hollywood has been going crazy with it because I
has been going crazy with it because I
has been going crazy with it because I mean it just lends itself to your
mean it just lends itself to your
mean it just lends itself to your imagination of what water in water and
imagination of what water in water and
imagination of what water in water and the satellites of these
the satellites of these
the satellites of these he’s a giant planets is incredibly
he’s a giant planets is incredibly
he’s a giant planets is incredibly exciting and then we have geysers with
exciting and then we have geysers with
exciting and then we have geysers with with some some water in them shooting
with some some water in them shooting
with some some water in them shooting out of Enceladus right so it’s a really
out of Enceladus right so it’s a really
out of Enceladus right so it’s a really exciting of place in our solar system to
exciting of place in our solar system to
exciting of place in our solar system to go with the outer planets yeah I’m
go with the outer planets yeah I’m
go with the outer planets yeah I’m telling you even science fiction folks
telling you even science fiction folks
telling you even science fiction folks couldn’t come up with some of this stuff
couldn’t come up with some of this stuff
couldn’t come up with some of this stuff that’s out there it’s amazing now listen
that’s out there it’s amazing now listen
that’s out there it’s amazing now listen I got I’m gonna move on to another
I got I’m gonna move on to another
I got I’m gonna move on to another question this one’s for Pierce Pierce
question this one’s for Pierce Pierce
question this one’s for Pierce Pierce can you hear me 1 ok Pierce this one
can you hear me 1 ok Pierce this one
can you hear me 1 ok Pierce this one comes from India this question it’s by
comes from India this question it’s by
comes from India this question it’s by Mahindra Bunch from India who’s posted a
Mahindra Bunch from India who’s posted a
Mahindra Bunch from India who’s posted a question on Google+ and it’s that what
question on Google+ and it’s that what
question on Google+ and it’s that what is it like to be in space to actually be
is it like to be in space to actually be
is it like to be in space to actually be in space do you feel the eternal
in space do you feel the eternal
in space do you feel the eternal calmness that we try to find here on
calmness that we try to find here on
calmness that we try to find here on earth well I gotta tell you on most
earth well I gotta tell you on most
earth well I gotta tell you on most spaceflight missions there’s not much
spaceflight missions there’s not much
spaceflight missions there’s not much calmness you have Mission Control down
calmness you have Mission Control down
calmness you have Mission Control down there poor do you along to get on with a
there poor do you along to get on with a
there poor do you along to get on with a work and I think Constance is laughing
work and I think Constance is laughing
work and I think Constance is laughing because she’s one of the porters
because she’s one of the porters
because she’s one of the porters probably it’s a big place for the
probably it’s a big place for the
probably it’s a big place for the working astronaut but you do get moments
working astronaut but you do get moments
working astronaut but you do get moments to really look out and see for the
to really look out and see for the
to really look out and see for the environment which is a very wearing on
environment which is a very wearing on
environment which is a very wearing on you you must define themselves so you
you you must define themselves so you
you you must define themselves so you know the things you get this realization
know the things you get this realization
know the things you get this realization the earth really is a big blue ball
the earth really is a big blue ball
the earth really is a big blue ball tumbling around the Sun is you you know
tumbling around the Sun is you you know
tumbling around the Sun is you you know you’re outside the spacecraft as you
you’re outside the spacecraft as you
you’re outside the spacecraft as you cruise over the planet at night still
cruise over the planet at night still
cruise over the planet at night still these night lights and when the Sun
these night lights and when the Sun
these night lights and when the Sun comes up it looks like a nuclear bomb
comes up it looks like a nuclear bomb
comes up it looks like a nuclear bomb has gone off on the horizon and you see
has gone off on the horizon and you see
has gone off on the horizon and you see it tracking up really fast
it tracking up really fast
it tracking up really fast it’s so you can see it move a white Sun
it’s so you can see it move a white Sun
it’s so you can see it move a white Sun in a black sky and a blue earth peeling
in a black sky and a blue earth peeling
in a black sky and a blue earth peeling underneath you and you really feel like
underneath you and you really feel like
underneath you and you really feel like you know I’m in space here I’m actually
you know I’m in space here I’m actually
you know I’m in space here I’m actually in space part of the universe so it does
in space part of the universe so it does
in space part of the universe so it does bring it home in a very physical and
bring it home in a very physical and
bring it home in a very physical and realistic way as opposed to watching a
realistic way as opposed to watching a
realistic way as opposed to watching a movie or seeing a picture so thoroughly
movie or seeing a picture so thoroughly
movie or seeing a picture so thoroughly recommended all of you buy your tickets
recommended all of you buy your tickets
recommended all of you buy your tickets now that’s cool that’s cool and elicit
now that’s cool that’s cool and elicit
now that’s cool that’s cool and elicit constants I’ve got a question here
constants I’ve got a question here
constants I’ve got a question here coming in for you okay and let me see
coming in for you okay and let me see
coming in for you okay and let me see here this one’s from Brian Keyser on
here this one’s from Brian Keyser on
here this one’s from Brian Keyser on Google+ and he asks
Google+ and he asks
Google+ and he asks is it true that we have technology
is it true that we have technology
is it true that we have technology understanding and capability to inhabit
understanding and capability to inhabit
understanding and capability to inhabit Mars as the Mars one project and many
Mars as the Mars one project and many
Mars as the Mars one project and many others claim you bet in fact one of the
others claim you bet in fact one of the
others claim you bet in fact one of the first things that blew me away
first things that blew me away
first things that blew me away when I first came I was hired on you
when I first came I was hired on you
when I first came I was hired on you know I’ve been doing skyscrapers and
know I’ve been doing skyscrapers and
know I’ve been doing skyscrapers and hospitals and pretty ordinary stuff Anna
hospitals and pretty ordinary stuff Anna
hospitals and pretty ordinary stuff Anna in the late nineties I was hired to work
in the late nineties I was hired to work
in the late nineties I was hired to work on Mars exploration facilities and an
on Mars exploration facilities and an
on Mars exploration facilities and an analogue habitats on at the Johnson
analogue habitats on at the Johnson
analogue habitats on at the Johnson Space Center and to sit you know over
Space Center and to sit you know over
Space Center and to sit you know over several months and you know just
several months and you know just
several months and you know just drinking from the fire hose of what
drinking from the fire hose of what
drinking from the fire hose of what these amazing people have been working
these amazing people have been working
these amazing people have been working on in developing advanced life support
on in developing advanced life support
on in developing advanced life support systems and robust systems for extended
systems and robust systems for extended
systems and robust systems for extended Mars exploration
Mars exploration
Mars exploration you know the realization dawned on me
you know the realization dawned on me
you know the realization dawned on me that you know assuming there was some
that you know assuming there was some
that you know assuming there was some kind of consistent funding we could
kind of consistent funding we could
kind of consistent funding we could actually do this within a couple of
actually do this within a couple of
actually do this within a couple of decades that you know that we know
decades that you know that we know
decades that you know that we know exactly what we need to do to do this
exactly what we need to do to do this
exactly what we need to do to do this which is a pretty big step I mean you
which is a pretty big step I mean you
which is a pretty big step I mean you know all it takes is then closing the
know all it takes is then closing the
know all it takes is then closing the loop on you know completing the
loop on you know completing the
loop on you know completing the development of the technologies that
development of the technologies that
development of the technologies that have been identified and and and testing
have been identified and and and testing
have been identified and and and testing them and proving them and then you know
them and proving them and then you know
them and proving them and then you know launching them and doing it so in truth
launching them and doing it so in truth
launching them and doing it so in truth Brian I think was the name of the of the
Brian I think was the name of the of the
Brian I think was the name of the of the gentleman asking the question yes we are
gentleman asking the question yes we are
gentleman asking the question yes we are able to go to Mars we just have to
able to go to Mars we just have to
able to go to Mars we just have to decide to do it that’s amazing I do you
decide to do it that’s amazing I do you
decide to do it that’s amazing I do you want more detail about that I’m happy to
want more detail about that I’m happy to
want more detail about that I’m happy to go on at far great for too much length
go on at far great for too much length
go on at far great for too much length but there’s two interesting other folks
but there’s two interesting other folks
but there’s two interesting other folks here that I want to hear from more stuff
here that I want to hear from more stuff
here that I want to hear from more stuff here but Enceladus – I fascinated with
here but Enceladus – I fascinated with
here but Enceladus – I fascinated with well that that’s it I mean and and and
well that that’s it I mean and and and
well that that’s it I mean and and and you know the idea of sending there’s
you know the idea of sending there’s
you know the idea of sending there’s this you know I wanted to ask all of you
this you know I wanted to ask all of you
this you know I wanted to ask all of you actually is oh what do you think of this
actually is oh what do you think of this
actually is oh what do you think of this this debate that exists between robotic
this debate that exists between robotic
this debate that exists between robotic exploration and human exploration is
exploration and human exploration is
exploration and human exploration is there room for both should we be putting
there room for both should we be putting
there room for both should we be putting all our eggs in one basket a lot of
all our eggs in one basket a lot of
all our eggs in one basket a lot of people say hey you know human to let to
people say hey you know human to let to
people say hey you know human to let to have humans explore space it just you
have humans explore space it just you
have humans explore space it just you know we have to be cocooned with so much
know we have to be cocooned with so much
know we have to be cocooned with so much technology and so much you know so much
technology and so much you know so much
technology and so much you know so much care so that we can survive space which
care so that we can survive space which
care so that we can survive space which is so in
is so in
is so in spit about while robots can can are so
spit about while robots can can are so
spit about while robots can can are so much more harder and we’ve seen so much
much more harder and we’ve seen so much
much more harder and we’ve seen so much returns from them as well so I’m just
returns from them as well so I’m just
returns from them as well so I’m just wondering Constance what’s your what’s
wondering Constance what’s your what’s
wondering Constance what’s your what’s your feel on that I’m very strongly I’m
your feel on that I’m very strongly I’m
your feel on that I’m very strongly I’m a very strong component of both I mean
a very strong component of both I mean
a very strong component of both I mean we’ve learned from the lovely little
we’ve learned from the lovely little
we’ve learned from the lovely little little critters that JPL hosts has
little critters that JPL hosts has
little critters that JPL hosts has landed on Mars over the past couple
landed on Mars over the past couple
landed on Mars over the past couple decades a lot about the properties of
decades a lot about the properties of
decades a lot about the properties of Martian soil about really what our goals
Martian soil about really what our goals
Martian soil about really what our goals should be in terms of landing sites on
should be in terms of landing sites on
should be in terms of landing sites on the planet all things that I would need
the planet all things that I would need
the planet all things that I would need in order to develop the the components
in order to develop the the components
in order to develop the the components and architectures for a human mission
and architectures for a human mission
and architectures for a human mission but the truth is you know we can build a
but the truth is you know we can build a
but the truth is you know we can build a robot to answer a question or perhaps a
robot to answer a question or perhaps a
robot to answer a question or perhaps a hundred questions but we send a person
hundred questions but we send a person
hundred questions but we send a person to ask whether it was the right question
to ask whether it was the right question
to ask whether it was the right question and I had to come up with you know to
and I had to come up with you know to
and I had to come up with you know to revise was it I think it was um here’s
revise was it I think it was um here’s
revise was it I think it was um here’s you might know better than I I think it
you might know better than I I think it
you might know better than I I think it was during the while on surface on in
was during the while on surface on in
was during the while on surface on in Apollo 16 that the primaries of
Apollo 16 that the primaries of
Apollo 16 that the primaries of geological mission that they had been
geological mission that they had been
geological mission that they had been handed they realized once they were out
handed they realized once they were out
handed they realized once they were out there that the particular rock they were
there that the particular rock they were
there that the particular rock they were being asked to look for simply not only
being asked to look for simply not only
being asked to look for simply not only wasn’t there but that the entire concept
wasn’t there but that the entire concept
wasn’t there but that the entire concept of of the development of the moon that
of of the development of the moon that
of of the development of the moon that this sortie was meant to verify who must
this sortie was meant to verify who must
this sortie was meant to verify who must be wrong and and they went and collect
be wrong and and they went and collect
be wrong and and they went and collect they collected the samples that they saw
they collected the samples that they saw
they collected the samples that they saw and brought back a complete revision I
and brought back a complete revision I
and brought back a complete revision I think was it 16 you know yes in 60 well
think was it 16 you know yes in 60 well
think was it 16 you know yes in 60 well the legend has it and I’ve heard it from
the legend has it and I’ve heard it from
the legend has it and I’ve heard it from a couple of one of the guys who was
a couple of one of the guys who was
a couple of one of the guys who was there that they did a pretty quick
there that they did a pretty quick
there that they did a pretty quick redirect of the mission objectives while
redirect of the mission objectives while
redirect of the mission objectives while they’re on the surface and so driving by
they’re on the surface and so driving by
they’re on the surface and so driving by all these sites that they’ve been told
all these sites that they’ve been told
all these sites that they’ve been told to go and look at and they were look I’m
to go and look at and they were look I’m
to go and look at and they were look I’m said no good
said no good
said no good next and as a result to find the samples
next and as a result to find the samples
next and as a result to find the samples that they really needed including the
that they really needed including the
that they really needed including the the Genesis rock that basically pegged
the Genesis rock that basically pegged
the Genesis rock that basically pegged the age of the moon so that without that
the age of the moon so that without that
the age of the moon so that without that flexibility and interaction the return
flexibility and interaction the return
flexibility and interaction the return on the science is it’s a lot slower so
on the science is it’s a lot slower so
on the science is it’s a lot slower so just like field geology on earth yeah
just like field geology on earth yeah
just like field geology on earth yeah designing designing spacecraft are sorry
designing designing spacecraft are sorry
designing designing spacecraft are sorry too many of us happening
too many of us happening
too many of us happening when we’re designing spacecraft
when we’re designing spacecraft
when we’re designing spacecraft architectures you know I think I have to
architectures you know I think I have to
architectures you know I think I have to often often fight against the the drive
often often fight against the the drive
often often fight against the the drive to mechanize everything but what you
to mechanize everything but what you
to mechanize everything but what you know what we find on actually every
know what we find on actually every
know what we find on actually every human space mission is that there have
human space mission is that there have
human space mission is that there have always been systems that the crew has
always been systems that the crew has
always been systems that the crew has has been expected to fix on in you know
has been expected to fix on in you know
has been expected to fix on in you know just in situ on the spur of the moment
just in situ on the spur of the moment
just in situ on the spur of the moment and without which we would have had the
and without which we would have had the
and without which we would have had the same kind of failure rate that we’ve had
same kind of failure rate that we’ve had
same kind of failure rate that we’ve had with some of the some of the robotic
with some of the some of the robotic
with some of the some of the robotic missions to Mars for example you know
missions to Mars for example you know
missions to Mars for example you know little glitches but if you’ve got
little glitches but if you’ve got
little glitches but if you’ve got someone there to fix it you know you can
someone there to fix it you know you can
someone there to fix it you know you can overcome and the truth is we are the
overcome and the truth is we are the
overcome and the truth is we are the most complex technology we know we are
most complex technology we know we are
most complex technology we know we are the key system to a system of systems
the key system to a system of systems
the key system to a system of systems you know but the robotic missions are of
you know but the robotic missions are of
you know but the robotic missions are of course incredibly important for the
course incredibly important for the
course incredibly important for the advance on information for scouting out
advance on information for scouting out
advance on information for scouting out what we want to do next very interesting
what we want to do next very interesting
what we want to do next very interesting now I have a I’ve got a question here
now I have a I’ve got a question here
now I have a I’ve got a question here this is an interesting one Kevin here’s
this is an interesting one Kevin here’s
this is an interesting one Kevin here’s here’s why don’t you take a take a stab
here’s why don’t you take a take a stab
here’s why don’t you take a take a stab at this one this is from JJ tirado
at this one this is from JJ tirado
at this one this is from JJ tirado posted on Google+ if you could travel to
posted on Google+ if you could travel to
posted on Google+ if you could travel to another planet or moon in our system
another planet or moon in our system
another planet or moon in our system which one would you choose and why
which one would you choose and why
which one would you choose and why let me guess would it be europa perhaps
let me guess would it be europa perhaps
let me guess would it be europa perhaps for you there’s a there’s an interesting
for you there’s a there’s an interesting
for you there’s a there’s an interesting out of point to note here in that if we
out of point to note here in that if we
out of point to note here in that if we could magically transport the the Alvin
could magically transport the the Alvin
could magically transport the the Alvin submersible the which whole vehicle or
submersible the which whole vehicle or
submersible the which whole vehicle or the Russian Mir submersibles or James
the Russian Mir submersibles or James
the Russian Mir submersibles or James Cameron’s deep-sea Challenger if we
Cameron’s deep-sea Challenger if we
Cameron’s deep-sea Challenger if we could magically just take those vehicles
could magically just take those vehicles
could magically just take those vehicles and put them in the ocean of Europa for
and put them in the ocean of Europa for
and put them in the ocean of Europa for the most part to the best of all our
the most part to the best of all our
the most part to the best of all our knowledge they would do fine and humans
knowledge they would do fine and humans
knowledge they would do fine and humans could explore the ocean of Europa with
could explore the ocean of Europa with
could explore the ocean of Europa with technology that we have available today
technology that we have available today
technology that we have available today Kevin when you have money for you in a
Kevin when you have money for you in a
Kevin when you have money for you in a snorkel the hard part of course is as
snorkel the hard part of course is as
snorkel the hard part of course is as peers and then Constance and Bethenny
peers and then Constance and Bethenny
peers and then Constance and Bethenny know is that getting to that ocean earth
know is that getting to that ocean earth
know is that getting to that ocean earth in terms of
in terms of
in terms of transit time of the radiation
transit time of the radiation
transit time of the radiation environment around Jupiter and then
environment around Jupiter and then
environment around Jupiter and then getting through the ice and on Europa we
getting through the ice and on Europa we
getting through the ice and on Europa we think that the ice is somewhere between
think that the ice is somewhere between
think that the ice is somewhere between a few and maybe as much as 15 or so
a few and maybe as much as 15 or so
a few and maybe as much as 15 or so kilometers in thickness just for
kilometers in thickness just for
kilometers in thickness just for reference the Antarctic Ice Sheet is
reference the Antarctic Ice Sheet is
reference the Antarctic Ice Sheet is about four kilometers in thickness so
about four kilometers in thickness so
about four kilometers in thickness so you’d have to transport that submersible
you’d have to transport that submersible
you’d have to transport that submersible down through all that ice before you
down through all that ice before you
down through all that ice before you could swim around and look for those
could swim around and look for those
could swim around and look for those Europen octopi that’s that’s it
Europen octopi that’s that’s it
Europen octopi that’s that’s it and since we’re on this topic with
and since we’re on this topic with
and since we’re on this topic with technology on planets I’ve got a
technology on planets I’ve got a
technology on planets I’ve got a question here Bethany maybe you can you
question here Bethany maybe you can you
question here Bethany maybe you can you can take a look at this one here this
can take a look at this one here this
can take a look at this one here this one’s from Klara Sven one posted on
one’s from Klara Sven one posted on
one’s from Klara Sven one posted on Google+
Google+
Google+ she writes we are a 2nd grade class at
she writes we are a 2nd grade class at
she writes we are a 2nd grade class at laguna blanca school in Santa Barbara
laguna blanca school in Santa Barbara
laguna blanca school in Santa Barbara California our question is how do you
California our question is how do you
California our question is how do you put Rovers on planets it’s a real good
put Rovers on planets it’s a real good
put Rovers on planets it’s a real good question
question
question I need programmers on planets well it is
I need programmers on planets well it is
I need programmers on planets well it is hard but are we working with the
hard but are we working with the
hard but are we working with the engineers at JPL are starting to get
engineers at JPL are starting to get
engineers at JPL are starting to get quite good at it so it depends on your
quite good at it so it depends on your
quite good at it so it depends on your planet and it depends on how heavy the
planet and it depends on how heavy the
planet and it depends on how heavy the thing is that you wanted that you want
thing is that you wanted that you want
thing is that you wanted that you want to put on the surface so for example
to put on the surface so for example
to put on the surface so for example when we land on the moon when the Luna
when we land on the moon when the Luna
when we land on the moon when the Luna car had robots from Russia landed on the
car had robots from Russia landed on the
car had robots from Russia landed on the moon so that was rocket-powered descent
moon so that was rocket-powered descent
moon so that was rocket-powered descent and the lander the lander was was
and the lander the lander was was
and the lander the lander was was lowered via via via rockets and that was
lowered via via via rockets and that was
lowered via via via rockets and that was also used by the Viking mission on Mars
also used by the Viking mission on Mars
also used by the Viking mission on Mars the Phoenix mission on Mars Rockets work
the Phoenix mission on Mars Rockets work
the Phoenix mission on Mars Rockets work they’re quite good it for example though
they’re quite good it for example though
they’re quite good it for example though you want to land a rover on Mars and you
you want to land a rover on Mars and you
you want to land a rover on Mars and you want to land it maybe in an area that’s
want to land it maybe in an area that’s
want to land it maybe in an area that’s kind of rough well then you have to do
kind of rough well then you have to do
kind of rough well then you have to do something a little bit creative because
something a little bit creative because
something a little bit creative because rockets don’t do so well when the when
rockets don’t do so well when the when
rockets don’t do so well when the when the terrain could be could be rough when
the terrain could be could be rough when
the terrain could be could be rough when there might be trouble getting getting
there might be trouble getting getting
there might be trouble getting getting radar signals off the surface so the two
radar signals off the surface so the two
radar signals off the surface so the two innovative techniques that have been
innovative techniques that have been
innovative techniques that have been used to land on Mars with its thin
used to land on Mars with its thin
used to land on Mars with its thin atmosphere Mars is challenging because
atmosphere Mars is challenging because
atmosphere Mars is challenging because its atmosphere is too thin to be of much
its atmosphere is too thin to be of much
its atmosphere is too thin to be of much use with a parachute like slowing you
use with a parachute like slowing you
use with a parachute like slowing you down it’s too thin for that but it’s
down it’s too thin for that but it’s
down it’s too thin for that but it’s just it’s just enough there that it
just it’s just enough there that it
just it’s just enough there that it causes a lot of heat from friction and
causes a lot of heat from friction and
causes a lot of heat from friction and it’s sort of difficult to get through
it’s sort of difficult to get through
it’s sort of difficult to get through then at the right speed and so for Mars
then at the right speed and so for Mars
then at the right speed and so for Mars these innovative techniques one bouncing
these innovative techniques one bouncing
these innovative techniques one bouncing to the surface with airbags
to the surface with airbags
to the surface with airbags that’s how spirit and offered
that’s how spirit and offered
that’s how spirit and offered Rover’s landed they were they were they
Rover’s landed they were they were they
Rover’s landed they were they were they were sort of origami tough in a
were sort of origami tough in a
were sort of origami tough in a tetrahedra and that tetrahedra airbags
tetrahedra and that tetrahedra airbags
tetrahedra and that tetrahedra airbags inflated just off the surface and it
inflated just off the surface and it
inflated just off the surface and it bounced from a parachute tethered down
bounced from a parachute tethered down
bounced from a parachute tethered down to the surface bounce dozens of times
to the surface bounce dozens of times
to the surface bounce dozens of times before settling unfolding and out rolls
before settling unfolding and out rolls
before settling unfolding and out rolls the rover and then the most innovative
the rover and then the most innovative
the rover and then the most innovative latest and greatest innovation was the
latest and greatest innovation was the
latest and greatest innovation was the sky crane system on MSL and so this was
sky crane system on MSL and so this was
sky crane system on MSL and so this was a hybrid that used parachutes rockets to
a hybrid that used parachutes rockets to
a hybrid that used parachutes rockets to hover but then hovering as the rocket
hover but then hovering as the rocket
hover but then hovering as the rocket was hovering the rover was lowered
was hovering the rover was lowered
was hovering the rover was lowered slowly on a sky crane and this was to
slowly on a sky crane and this was to
slowly on a sky crane and this was to deliver something heavy something
deliver something heavy something
deliver something heavy something one-ton but have it land right on the
one-ton but have it land right on the
one-ton but have it land right on the wheels it’s a technique that’s used by
wheels it’s a technique that’s used by
wheels it’s a technique that’s used by the military to deliver large payloads
the military to deliver large payloads
the military to deliver large payloads and that in some sense was the was the
and that in some sense was the was the
and that in some sense was the was the inspiration but imagine doing this on
inspiration but imagine doing this on
inspiration but imagine doing this on another planet where everything has to
another planet where everything has to
another planet where everything has to work autonomously with no control it’s
work autonomously with no control it’s
work autonomously with no control it’s pretty amazing but that’s that’s the
pretty amazing but that’s that’s the
pretty amazing but that’s that’s the latest innovation for how to get
latest innovation for how to get
latest innovation for how to get something to a planet I’ll just add to
something to a planet I’ll just add to
something to a planet I’ll just add to that Bethany the the next or you know
that Bethany the the next or you know
that Bethany the the next or you know what’s what’s down the line if if those
what’s what’s down the line if if those
what’s what’s down the line if if those students or others Google ldsd JPL
students or others Google ldsd JPL
students or others Google ldsd JPL you’ll find various YouTube videos and
you’ll find various YouTube videos and
you’ll find various YouTube videos and links to the low density supersonic
links to the low density supersonic
links to the low density supersonic decelerator we were just talking about
decelerator we were just talking about
decelerator we were just talking about this last night definitely I think I
this last night definitely I think I
this last night definitely I think I remember the acronym correctly but this
remember the acronym correctly but this
remember the acronym correctly but this is the next generation of parachutes and
is the next generation of parachutes and
is the next generation of parachutes and and yeah if you google that this is the
and yeah if you google that this is the
and yeah if you google that this is the the deceleration system that would be
the deceleration system that would be
the deceleration system that would be needed to actually get very large
needed to actually get very large
needed to actually get very large payloads including humans down to the
payloads including humans down to the
payloads including humans down to the surface of Mars and so that’s one of the
surface of Mars and so that’s one of the
surface of Mars and so that’s one of the sort of frontier technologies that that
sort of frontier technologies that that
sort of frontier technologies that that JPL and others are working on that’s
JPL and others are working on that’s
JPL and others are working on that’s amazing amazing stuff where where are we
amazing amazing stuff where where are we
amazing amazing stuff where where are we going to be in the next 20 years it’s
going to be in the next 20 years it’s
going to be in the next 20 years it’s gonna be awesome with all this
gonna be awesome with all this
gonna be awesome with all this technology abilities it’s just amazing
technology abilities it’s just amazing
technology abilities it’s just amazing and I guess Kevin I guess in for Europa
and I guess Kevin I guess in for Europa
and I guess Kevin I guess in for Europa it would be different I guess in terms
it would be different I guess in terms
it would be different I guess in terms of the landing technology right on that
of the landing technology right on that
of the landing technology right on that on that world then compared to Mars I
on that world then compared to Mars I
on that world then compared to Mars I should say that’s right and there’s a
should say that’s right and there’s a
should say that’s right and there’s a there’s a debate within the community
there’s a debate within the community
there’s a debate within the community about where about what
about where about what
about where about what we could actually land on Europa with
we could actually land on Europa with
we could actually land on Europa with the technology we have available today
the technology we have available today
the technology we have available today the challenges that we have such limited
the challenges that we have such limited
the challenges that we have such limited imagery of Europa’s surface that we
imagery of Europa’s surface that we
imagery of Europa’s surface that we don’t really know whether or not at the
don’t really know whether or not at the
don’t really know whether or not at the at the scale of the land or at the you
at the scale of the land or at the you
at the scale of the land or at the you know at the size scale of the land or
know at the size scale of the land or
know at the size scale of the land or human whether there are these ice spikes
human whether there are these ice spikes
human whether there are these ice spikes that are jutting up or if it’s nice and
that are jutting up or if it’s nice and
that are jutting up or if it’s nice and smooth or if there are ice boulders all
smooth or if there are ice boulders all
smooth or if there are ice boulders all around and if you don’t know what that
around and if you don’t know what that
around and if you don’t know what that surface looks like it’s hard to figure
surface looks like it’s hard to figure
surface looks like it’s hard to figure out whether or not you need legs or
out whether or not you need legs or
out whether or not you need legs or wheels or retrorockets and all these
wheels or retrorockets and all these
wheels or retrorockets and all these things so we’re working on a few
things so we’re working on a few
things so we’re working on a few different ways to kind of design a
different ways to kind of design a
different ways to kind of design a lander that could figure out a safe
lander that could figure out a safe
lander that could figure out a safe place to land as it’s coming in and then
place to land as it’s coming in and then
place to land as it’s coming in and then even if it can’t find a perfectly safe
even if it can’t find a perfectly safe
even if it can’t find a perfectly safe place it will have an adaptive system to
place it will have an adaptive system to
place it will have an adaptive system to to land on a rough surface very
to land on a rough surface very
to land on a rough surface very interesting well in terms of space XY I
interesting well in terms of space XY I
interesting well in terms of space XY I mean every you know obviously there’s a
mean every you know obviously there’s a
mean every you know obviously there’s a lot of interest people want to know what
lot of interest people want to know what
lot of interest people want to know what it’s what what space exploration is
it’s what what space exploration is
it’s what what space exploration is about there’s a lot of people that are
about there’s a lot of people that are
about there’s a lot of people that are personally interested in the idea of
personally interested in the idea of
personally interested in the idea of going up into space and are keen about
going up into space and are keen about
going up into space and are keen about that idea and there in fact I’ve got a
that idea and there in fact I’ve got a
that idea and there in fact I’ve got a question here Pierce maybe you can take
question here Pierce maybe you can take
question here Pierce maybe you can take a look at this one of yours
a look at this one of yours
a look at this one of yours it’s from Allen jacket from New York and
it’s from Allen jacket from New York and
it’s from Allen jacket from New York and he asked on national and geographic comm
he asked on national and geographic comm
he asked on national and geographic comm his question when do you think average
his question when do you think average
his question when do you think average people will be able to go to space hey I
people will be able to go to space hey I
people will be able to go to space hey I feel pretty average myself so I think
feel pretty average myself so I think
feel pretty average myself so I think it’s been done so in terms you know it’s
it’s been done so in terms you know it’s
it’s been done so in terms you know it’s the cost it’s going to be an expensive
the cost it’s going to be an expensive
the cost it’s going to be an expensive enterprise for as long as we’re dealing
enterprise for as long as we’re dealing
enterprise for as long as we’re dealing with the technologies we have now so I
with the technologies we have now so I
with the technologies we have now so I think it’s going to be a rich person’s
think it’s going to be a rich person’s
think it’s going to be a rich person’s you know activity for access to space
you know activity for access to space
you know activity for access to space but no don’t give up I say in about 20
but no don’t give up I say in about 20
but no don’t give up I say in about 20 years I think that the price might be
years I think that the price might be
years I think that the price might be within reach of most hardworking people
within reach of most hardworking people
within reach of most hardworking people if that’s what you really really want to
if that’s what you really really want to
if that’s what you really really want to do and we’re prepared to put the money
do and we’re prepared to put the money
do and we’re prepared to put the money on the line but I have to tell you you
on the line but I have to tell you you
on the line but I have to tell you you know what while that’s that’s not the
know what while that’s that’s not the
know what while that’s that’s not the first think about and
first think about and
first think about and with these the guys I guess it’s
with these the guys I guess it’s
with these the guys I guess it’s thinking what’s the next step where are
thinking what’s the next step where are
thinking what’s the next step where are we going to be further out in 20 years I
we going to be further out in 20 years I
we going to be further out in 20 years I hope that you know we get to Mars in 20
hope that you know we get to Mars in 20
hope that you know we get to Mars in 20 years
years
years pretty tough not because of the
pretty tough not because of the
pretty tough not because of the radiation and the distance and the
radiation and the distance and the
radiation and the distance and the energy required to get there but you
energy required to get there but you
energy required to get there but you know all thinking about what’s next
know all thinking about what’s next
know all thinking about what’s next what’s next and and Pierce that’s
what’s next and and Pierce that’s
what’s next and and Pierce that’s exactly where I wanted to go I mean
exactly where I wanted to go I mean
exactly where I wanted to go I mean we’re we’re running low on time here and
we’re we’re running low on time here and
we’re we’re running low on time here and I and and you just you just touched on
I and and you just you just touched on
I and and you just you just touched on what I wanted to ask everyone actually
what I wanted to ask everyone actually
what I wanted to ask everyone actually is that where are we going to be in the
is that where are we going to be in the
is that where are we going to be in the next 20 years in terms of SpaceX where
next 20 years in terms of SpaceX where
next 20 years in terms of SpaceX where what are gonna be the big the big news
what are gonna be the big the big news
what are gonna be the big the big news newsmakers
newsmakers
newsmakers I guess what do you think so maybe
I guess what do you think so maybe
I guess what do you think so maybe Bethany what do you think what’s your
Bethany what do you think what’s your
Bethany what do you think what’s your opinion what’s the big news maker maybe
opinion what’s the big news maker maybe
opinion what’s the big news maker maybe in the next 20 years what’s coming up
in the next 20 years what’s coming up
in the next 20 years what’s coming up the most exciting stuff well let’s see
the most exciting stuff well let’s see
the most exciting stuff well let’s see here I I gave the rundown of my favorite
here I I gave the rundown of my favorite
here I I gave the rundown of my favorite missions on Mars and favorite missions
missions on Mars and favorite missions
missions on Mars and favorite missions from Venus in Europa but I think I think
from Venus in Europa but I think I think
from Venus in Europa but I think I think just a trend to watch in planetary
just a trend to watch in planetary
just a trend to watch in planetary science is that as technology gets
science is that as technology gets
science is that as technology gets better as our ability to land gets
better as our ability to land gets
better as our ability to land gets better we’re also developing our ability
better we’re also developing our ability
better we’re also developing our ability to launch and return things back to
to launch and return things back to
to launch and return things back to earth so I fully expect us to be
earth so I fully expect us to be
earth so I fully expect us to be grabbing pieces of asteroids like
grabbing pieces of asteroids like
grabbing pieces of asteroids like near-earth asteroids that are orbiting
near-earth asteroids that are orbiting
near-earth asteroids that are orbiting around Earth I expect that we’re gonna
around Earth I expect that we’re gonna
around Earth I expect that we’re gonna be able to go out and grab a piece of
be able to go out and grab a piece of
be able to go out and grab a piece of that and bring it back really study I
that and bring it back really study I
that and bring it back really study I think that we’re gonna have sample
think that we’re gonna have sample
think that we’re gonna have sample return from Mars so I think that in
return from Mars so I think that in
return from Mars so I think that in addition they’re reaching and traveling
addition they’re reaching and traveling
addition they’re reaching and traveling outward in the solar system we’re gonna
outward in the solar system we’re gonna
outward in the solar system we’re gonna receive more and more samples coming
receive more and more samples coming
receive more and more samples coming back and back into our laboratories
back and back into our laboratories
back and back into our laboratories fascinating Kevin what do you think hey
fascinating Kevin what do you think hey
fascinating Kevin what do you think hey there yeah we can hear you now
there yeah we can hear you now
there yeah we can hear you now excellent well it certainly Europa but
excellent well it certainly Europa but
excellent well it certainly Europa but then I’ll just mention two other places
then I’ll just mention two other places
then I’ll just mention two other places and sort of trends one simple fact is
and sort of trends one simple fact is
and sort of trends one simple fact is that the closer we look at various
that the closer we look at various
that the closer we look at various places be they planets or moons the more
places be they planets or moons the more
places be they planets or moons the more we realize how dynamic and changing our
we realize how dynamic and changing our
we realize how dynamic and changing our solar system is Constance mentioned
solar system is Constance mentioned
solar system is Constance mentioned Enceladus earlier I don’t know if you
Enceladus earlier I don’t know if you
Enceladus earlier I don’t know if you guys can see that Oh picture everybody’s
guys can see that Oh picture everybody’s
guys can see that Oh picture everybody’s probably very cool and stuff yeah but
probably very cool and stuff yeah but
probably very cool and stuff yeah but this is a beautiful little moon of
this is a beautiful little moon of
this is a beautiful little moon of Saturn and the Cassini spacecraft took
Saturn and the Cassini spacecraft took
Saturn and the Cassini spacecraft took this astonishing picture of the
this astonishing picture of the
this astonishing picture of the waterjets just erupting out of Enceladus
waterjets just erupting out of Enceladus
waterjets just erupting out of Enceladus surface those Jets we think are
surface those Jets we think are
surface those Jets we think are connecting to yet another ocean out
connecting to yet another ocean out
connecting to yet another ocean out there in our solar system so the more we
there in our solar system so the more we
there in our solar system so the more we look the more we discover that that our
look the more we discover that that our
look the more we discover that that our solar system is is active these worlds
solar system is is active these worlds
solar system is is active these worlds are dynamic and many of these worlds may
are dynamic and many of these worlds may
are dynamic and many of these worlds may in fact be habitable and potentially
in fact be habitable and potentially
in fact be habitable and potentially inhabited so Europa Enceladus and then I
inhabited so Europa Enceladus and then I
inhabited so Europa Enceladus and then I got a plug Uranus your this is this
got a plug Uranus your this is this
got a plug Uranus your this is this bizarre planet with all of these moons
bizarre planet with all of these moons
bizarre planet with all of these moons and we really have very little data
and we really have very little data
and we really have very little data about Uranus but it’s it’s in nasa’s de
about Uranus but it’s it’s in nasa’s de
about Uranus but it’s it’s in nasa’s de kado survey and if anybody wants to see
kado survey and if anybody wants to see
kado survey and if anybody wants to see what nasa has in its plans just google
what nasa has in its plans just google
what nasa has in its plans just google NASA planetary science to Cadle survey
NASA planetary science to Cadle survey
NASA planetary science to Cadle survey and you’ll get this tomb of a PDF that
and you’ll get this tomb of a PDF that
and you’ll get this tomb of a PDF that will describe everything literally under
will describe everything literally under
will describe everything literally under the Sun that we’re hoping to do with
the Sun that we’re hoping to do with
the Sun that we’re hoping to do with robotic exploration of the solar system
robotic exploration of the solar system
robotic exploration of the solar system Wow fantastic stuff guys that’s amazing
Wow fantastic stuff guys that’s amazing
Wow fantastic stuff guys that’s amazing I want to thank everyone for joining us
I want to thank everyone for joining us
I want to thank everyone for joining us for this and this really cool eye I know
for this and this really cool eye I know
for this and this really cool eye I know I learned a lot and I wanted to thank
I learned a lot and I wanted to thank
I learned a lot and I wanted to thank thank all all our participants today it
thank all all our participants today it
thank all all our participants today it was really I had a really good time I
was really I had a really good time I
was really I had a really good time I wish we could go I because it’s it’s
wish we could go I because it’s it’s
wish we could go I because it’s it’s there’s so much happening in space
there’s so much happening in space
there’s so much happening in space exploration we’ve just literally just
exploration we’ve just literally just
exploration we’ve just literally just scratched the surface but I want to
scratched the surface but I want to
scratched the surface but I want to thank Bethany element for joining us
thank Bethany element for joining us
thank Bethany element for joining us Constance Adams thank you so much for
Constance Adams thank you so much for
Constance Adams thank you so much for for being with us Kevon hand you know
for being with us Kevon hand you know
for being with us Kevon hand you know I’m gonna pack my swim trunks for Europa
I’m gonna pack my swim trunks for Europa
I’m gonna pack my swim trunks for Europa maybe that’s maybe something I should
maybe that’s maybe something I should
maybe that’s maybe something I should think about I guess and Pierce Pierce
think about I guess and Pierce Pierce
think about I guess and Pierce Pierce cellars thank you for for sharing some
cellars thank you for for sharing some
cellars thank you for for sharing some of your insight and your wonderful work
of your insight and your wonderful work
of your insight and your wonderful work in space and I wanted that I want to
in space and I wanted that I want to
in space and I wanted that I want to mention to everybody in our audience to
mention to everybody in our audience to
mention to everybody in our audience to follow National Geographic on Google+
follow National Geographic on Google+
follow National Geographic on Google+ become a member of the National
become a member of the National
become a member of the National Geographic Society and to find out more
Geographic Society and to find out more
Geographic Society and to find out more about of course our Google Hangouts were
about of course our Google Hangouts were
about of course our Google Hangouts were all over on social media so thank you
all over on social media so thank you
all over on social media so thank you everyone for joining and until next time
everyone for joining and until next time
everyone for joining and until next time bye-bye
”
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