Looking Skyward

Conference focuses on space science

Explorations

How will a two-year mission to Mars affect the health of astronauts? Was there once water on the surface of Mars? Interesting questions, and they were raised at the two-day Wisconsin Space Conference held at Marquette.

“The conference gave students a feel for the quality of education they’re getting at Marquette,” says Dr. Christopher Stockdale.

• NASA • Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium • Astronautics Corporation of America

Students, faculty and researchers were fascinated by the topic, “Unlocking the Origin of the Solar System,” and held spellbound by keynoter Dr. Peter H. Schultz, professor of geological sciences at Brown University and science team co-investigator on NASA’s Deep Impact Mission.

“I could close my eyes and imagine myself in the control room at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as the first images from the Deep Impact Probe were beamed back to Earth. I could feel the joy of the scientists as they cheered and cried — that’s how intense the atmosphere in the room was,” says Dr. Christopher Stockdale, assistant professor of physics, who coordinated the conference with Dr. John Borg, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

Marquette faculty whose research is connected to space spoke, including Dr. Robert Fitts, chair and professor of biological sciences, who has conducted extensive research into muscular deterioration with long-duration space flight. Undergraduates Matthew Kelley and Adam Hinkle also presented results of their research involving exploding stars and new methods for testing the fundamental physical laws of our universe.

The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium and Astronautics Corporation of America sponsor the conference annually to support the education of future space researchers.