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Gemini VI Mission Image - Rendezvous with Gemini VII (Source: NASA)

As we look at the ongoing challenges of returning humans back to the Moon, coupled with the ultimate goal of travel far beyond our nearest neighbor in space, it is important to look back at the challenges and lessons learned in the early NASA human spaceflight program, especially those from Projects Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab. With technology far less advanced than today, with slide rules in hand and leveraging computers less powerful than most of today's smart watches, hundreds of thousands of incredibly talented and dedicated professionals succeeded in putting U.S. astronauts on the Moon before the Soviet Union, all the while pursuing aspirations for extended human operations in low Earth Orbit and long-duration missions to Mars. 

This presentation will provide a 'look back' at U.S. human space flight between 1961 and 1975, with an emphasis on the concepts, technologies, and strategies that allowed the U.S. to surpass the former Soviet Union in a space race driven in the shadow of the Cold War. Ironically, many of the challenges of long-duration spaceflight from over 60 years ago remain in play – a clear reminder that human space travel will remain the final frontier for decades to come.  

Dr. Patrick Ford

Dr. Patrick Ford is Senior Science Advisor and Chief Remote Pilot for Atkinson Aeronautics and Technology. He has supported commercial and defense-related aerospace developments for over four decades, with a focus on systems engineering, research and development, ground/in-flight testing, and training for both crewed and uncrewed systems. He established, and served as the first Program Director for, the American Military University's Space Studies Program and is currently an adjunct assistant professor with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's College of Aviation, Department of Flight, teaching courses on remotely piloted systems and robotics. A retired U.S. Naval officer, Dr. Ford received his Doctorate in Decision Sciences from Walden University, with a Specialization in Naval Warfare Operations Analysis, where his research culminated in the first-ever use of a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) radar on a Group 3 or smaller UAS. He received his Master of Science degree in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, with a focus on long-duration human spaceflight. He holds Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advanced ground instructor, private pilot, and commercial UAS remote pilot certificates, as well as AUVSI TOP-3 Remote Pilot certification.

Tentative Agenda: (All Time PST (GMT -0800))

10:15 am: Check-in (in-person attendees), Networking

11:00 am: Welcome and Introduction

11:05 am: Presentations and Q&A

02:00 pm: (Leave the Meeting Room by 2 pm PST)

Lawndale Library (Meeting Room)

14615 Burin Ave., Lawndale, CA 90260

(South of 105 Hwy and East of 405 Hwy/Pacific Coast Hwy (1))