Innovation at the Intersections of Policy, Science, Technology and the Arts AA247 Webinar

Transcription

1 Innovation at the Intersections of Policy, Science, Technology and the Arts AA247 Webinar Prof. G. Scott Hubbard, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Stanford University April 14, 2008 Stanford University Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

2 Innovation Occurs at Discipline Intersections Four examples from personal experience will be presented: Astrobiology, the scientific intersection of physics, chemistry, astronomy and biology Bio-inspired nanotechnology Rebuilding the Mars Program The emerging entrepreneurial space business Stanford University Department 2 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

3 Astrobiology : The Scientific Heart of Space Exploration Interdisciplinary study of life in the universe Three fundamental questions >How does life begin and evolve? >Does life exist elsewhere in the universe? >What is life s future on Earth and beyond? NASA Astrobiology Institute >16 lead member institutions Stanford University Department 3 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

4 Jonathan Trent in Kamchatka Studying extremophiles Harvesting Sulfulobus Stanford University Department 4 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

5 Bio/Info/Nano=Products Nanoscale gold arrays -SH Stanford University Department 5 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

6 Protein-templated patterned media Nanoscale metal arrays=flash memory 1.5 terabits/in 2 Stanford University Department 6 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

7 Biofuels Focus Areas Bio-engineered protein enzyme to digest cellulose Algae from a local treatment plant Will become Biodiesel Stanford University Department 7 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

8 Optimized Energy Efficiency An existing Danish wind farm in the North Sea could solve 2 elements of turning algae into biodiesel fuel Temperature control Energy to run the system A hybrid fuel farm could take advantage of excess wind energy and easy cooling of the algae growth process Stanford University Department 8 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

9 MGS Today s Robotic Mars Exploration Program - Extending the Search Mars Odyssey MER Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Phoenix Scout Redefined in October 2000 after twin failures in 1999 A science-driven effort to characterize and understand Mars as a dynamic system, including its present and past environment, climate cycles, geology, and biological potential. Central among the questions to be asked is Did life ever arise on Mars? The science strategy is known as Follow the Water. Mars Science Laboratory Stanford University Department 9 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

10 Program System Engineering Science Technology Management Program Trade Space Aligning three strategies Option(s) for Mission Queue Re-Check for Science Traceability Selected Mission Queue Stanford University Department 10of Aeronautics and Astronautics

11 Management as cat herding: Herd the cats by strategically placing the cat food Innovation occurs at the intersections of disciplines Where should I put it now? Within the space exploration arena, two important intersections are: Earth - Life - and Space Science = Astrobiology Convergence of Biology - Information Technology and Nanotechnology Provide strategic direction but also allow for serendipity You can t do it all yourself - partnerships and collaboration are required! Herd the cats by strategically placing the cat food Stanford University Department 11 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

12 MRO HiRISE Images Stanford University Department 12of Aeronautics and Astronautics

13 Mars Avalanche Stanford University Department 13of Aeronautics and Astronautics

14 Carbon Dioxide Levels in the Past 400K Years Human activity Stanford University Department 14of Aeronautics and Astronautics

15 Carbon Dioxide Levels in the Past 1000 Years Stanford University Department 15of Aeronautics and Astronautics

16 Regional Climate Change is the Frontier Think globally, Forecast regionally, Act locally: Assessing and addressing the impacts of climate change in California is our next step Climate Air Water Bio North Coast National Forests Lohantan Central Coast South Coast Beyond the capacity of today s global models Stanford University Department 16of Aeronautics and Astronautics

17 Our California Regional Climate Change Concept Decide science questions--follow the Water Collect and fuse data at regional scale SNOW COVER FIRE VEGETATION DENSITY Fill in gaps with new platforms VEGETATION PHENOLOGY High altitude airships (80-100K feet) Uninhabited aerial vehicles LEO satellites Stanford University Department 17 of Aeronautics and Astronautics

18 Our California Regional Climate Change Concept Develop models and analyze data at regional scale Provide results to policy makers Project Columbia at NASA Ames Research Center Peak capacity 61 TFLOPs Stanford University Department 18of Aeronautics and Astronautics

19 The New (Old) Dream - Personal Space Travel Stanford University Department 19of Aeronautics and Astronautics

20 Some of the New Players Falcon I at SpaceX launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base Founder/CEO-Elon Musk Bigelow Aerospace inflatable habitats-artist s conception Founder/CEO-Bob Bigelow Virgin Galactic has $20,000 deposits from > 100 tourists Founder/CEO- Sir Richard Branson SpaceDev develops commercial hybrid rocket motors and small space vehicles and subsystems. CEO - Mark Sirangelo Scaled Composites-Aerospace and specialty composites Winner of the X-prize President- Burt Rutan Investor and philanthropist Paul Allen Stanford University Department 20of Aeronautics and Astronautics

21 The standard business approach: $200,000 ticket price 5 passengers per flight = $1 million per flight 365 flights per year = $365 million annual revenue However, in a $200+ billion market, the suborbital space tourism market is still small. The Entrepreneur Effect What is the true benefit and is there another business model? Spillover benefits of public interest Attracting capital for space businesses Attracting non-traditional space business people Stanford University Department 21of Aeronautics and Astronautics

22 Tie-Ins, Advertising Revenue, Endorsements, Franchising, Product Placement The Choice of Astro tourists everywhere* This Coffee Served in Space *Reebok spaceshoes provided on all flights SpaceShip 1 The Latest Teams April, 2007 Your logo here (this image was NOT altered!) Spaceport Corporate Sponsors Stanford University Department 22of Aeronautics and Astronautics

23 The Future of Space Exploration: Searching for Life with Humans and Robots Together Stanford University Department 23of Aeronautics and Astronautics

24 The Future of Space Exploration True Partnership Stanford University Department 24of Aeronautics and Astronautics