Purdue RETH program seminar to feature NASA astronaut speaker

Veteran NASA astronaut Thomas Jones Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Veteran NASA astronaut Thomas Jones is scheduled to speak at the first seminar for Purdue’s recently announced Resilient Extra-Terrestrial Habitats (RETH) program.

Jones, who flew on four space shuttle missions orbiting the Earth, has an established career as scientist, author, pilot and astronaut.

At the seminar, Jones will assess the state of human space exploration, and the possibilities of expanding our physical presence to the moon, the asteroids, Mars and beyond. 

The event, titled “Reaching for the Moon, the Asteroids, and Mars,” begins at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (April 18) in Fowler Hall. The public is welcome to attend.

“We are honored to have Dr. Jones visit the Purdue community and share his assessment of our current capacity and future needs for establishing a successful human presence on the moon, the asteroids, Mars and beyond,” said Shirley Dyke, professor of mechanical and civil engineering and one of four primary investigators for the RETH initiative.

The other primary investigators are:

• Antonio Bobet, professor of civil engineering.

• Jay Melosh, distinguished professor, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

• Julio Ramirez, professor of civil engineering and Center Director of the Network Coordination Office for the National Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure. 

The RETH initiative was announced in January as the first recipient of Purdue’s New Horizons grant. It will work to develop new technologies and systems that will allow humans to live on the moon or other planets. 

Writer: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu  

Sources:  Julio Ramirez, 765-430-7853, ramirez@purdue.edu 

Antonio Bobet, 765-494-5033, bobet@purdue.edu  

Shirley Dyke, 765-494-7434, sdyke@purdue.edu  

Jay Melosh, jmelosh@purdue.edu 

Note to Journalists: Thomas Jones will be available 30 minutes prior to the event for interviews.