(2023 November 18) The Future of U.S. Robotic Planetary Exploration by Dr. Randii Wessen

Dr. Randii R. Wessen

Dr. Wessen has been an employee of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory since 1984 March. He is currently the Project Manager of the Science Understanding through Data Science effort, the Proposal Manager for a billion dollar X-Ray Telescope (HEX-P), and the Lead Study Architect for JPL’s Innovation Foundry’s A-Team. Prior to this, Dr. Wessen has worked with several mission and program areas at JPL including System Engineer in the Astrophysics Division, Telecommunications & Mission Systems Manager in the Deep Space Network serving Mars missions, Manager of the Cassini Science Planning & Operations, the Galileo Deputy Sequence Team Chief, and the Voyager Science Sequence Coordinator for the Uranus & Neptune encounters.

Dr. Wessen received his Bachelors of Science in both Physics & Astronomy from Stony Brook University, a Masters of Science in Astronautics from the University of Southern California, and a Doctorate in Operations Research from the University of South Wales, United Kingdom. He co-authored the books “Neptune: The Planet, Rings and Satellites” & “Planetary Ring Systems.” He was the recipient of NASA's Exceptional Service Medal for his contributions to the Voyager 2 Neptune Encounter and has eleven NASA Group Achievement Awards. Dr. Wessen is also a fellow of both the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Interplanetary Society and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics. Asteroid 31664 (Randiiwessen) is named in his honor. 

The Future of U.S. Robotic Planetary Exploration

As the millennium closed, so did the era of large planetary spacecraft that were launched once per decade.  Future robotic spacecraft will have a wide range of capabilities, diverse mission objectives, and be launched almost one per year.  Among the many types of missions, some will be the landers and sample return missions of tomorrow. To meet these bold endeavors, these ambassadors from Earth will require advanced mission concepts, new operational approaches, as well as technologies that have yet to be developed. 

To organize this effort, the United States robotic planetary exploration program has been divided into the following themes:

1. Earth 

2. Mars 

3. Solar System

4. Universe 

This presentation will describe each of these areas, the major missions currently in operations, and those being planned. It will also have a special emphasis on the quest for extra-solar planets and the search for life in the cosmos.

Billie Jean King Main Library

Main Library Meeting Room A

200 W Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802

(This event is not sponsored by the Billie Jean King Main Library)

(East of 710 Hwy, South of 405 Hwy / PCH 1, and West of 605 Hwy. Near Exit 1A of 710 Hwy to Downtown Long Beach. Next to Lincoln Park. Near Long Beach Convention Center.)

Parking

*Fee-based West Broadway Parking next to this library, or a nearby fee-based parking facility. Metro bus stops and the Metro Blue Line rail station a t or near this library. It might be a good idea to utilize the Metro park-and-ride (https://www.metro.net/riding/parking/lotsbyline/). It's encouraged to take advantage of those public transportation and save, if preferred. The AIAA/LA-LV Section will not be responsible for parking.

*ADA Parking (https://www.parklb.com)

+There is map of the nearby parking lots there if scroll down on that page)

+Some street parking on W. Broadway might have the rate as low as $1 per hour. Other parking lots or spots have various rates. Please follow the signs.

+Use Passport Parking Mobile Pay App https://www.parklb.com/passport-parking-app/

+Pay with coins or with credit cards at the meter

+Civic Center Garage

332 W Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802

https://www.parklb.com/parking-lotsgarages/downtown-parking/civic-center-garage/

+Courthouse Parking Garage

101 Magnolia Ave.

Long Beach, CA 90802

*Other independent smaller parking lots are available as well.

Saturday, November 18, 2023, 12:15 PM - 2:45 PM PST

Introduction/Presentation starts at 12:55 PM / 1:00 PM PST

(Ticket sales will end after Friday, November 17, 2023, or when it's sold out.)

Dress Code

No open-toe shoes (except for medical purposes or needs)

Contact:

contact@aiaa-lalv.org or (949)426-8175 (phone, or text (better))

12:30 pm PST: Check-in, Networking.

12:55 pm PST: Welcome and Introduction

01:00 pm PST: Presentations and Q&A

02:30 pm PST: Adjourn. Networking. Wrapping up.

In-Person: (Group rates/discounts are available. Inquiries are welcome.)

(Donation will be highly appreciated. Please help cover the event costs/expenses.)

*Admission/Presentation Only - No Lunch (Welcome to bring own lunch.)

  $0 Presentation Only -No Lunch, for All K-12 Students and Educators

  $0 Presentation Only -No Lunch, for AIAA University Student Members

  $5 Presentation Only -No Lunch, for Regular Admission

*Admission/Presentation + lunch sandwich box

$11.99 K-12 Students and Educators Price (w/ lunch sandwich box)

$12.99 AIAA University Student Member Price (w/ lunch sandwich box)

$17.99 Non-AIAA Member - University Student Member (w/ lunch sandwich box)

$19.99 AIAA Professional Member Price (w/ lunch sandwich box)

$24.99 Non-AIAA Member -Professional Price (w/ lunch sandwich box)

$18.99 AIAA Life-Time Member or Emeritus Member (w/ lunch sandwich box)

$18.99 AIAA Member with 20 or more years of membership (w/ lunch sandwich box)