Tag Archives: climate change

Climate Change Engineering, Science & Public Policy Dinner Meeting

Please join us for the AIAA Houston Section November 2015 dinner meeting, “Climate Change Engineering, Science & Public Policy.” Two presentations will be given, the first by Ian Mills, NASA/JSC robotics engineer, talking about using SPDM (Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator) DEXTRE and the International Space Station (ISS) robotic arm to install climate science instruments such as CATS (Cloud Aerosol Transport System). The second presentation will be given by the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Bruce McCarl of Texas A&M University in College Station. The award shared with Al Gore by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about human-induced climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.

Biographies

Ian Mills

Mr. Mills has been a member of the ISS Robotics Operations group since joining NASA in 1996. Mr. Mills has supported both the Space Shuttle and the ISS (International Space Station) robotic operations involving the external robotic systems used for payload deployment and retrieval such as the Hubble Space Telescope, ISS assembly, and on-going ISS payloads and maintenance. Mr. Mills was the lead Robotics Officer for the CATS (Cloud Aerosol Transport System) transfer to ISS, which was launched on the SpaceX CRS-5 mission. Mr. Mills received a BS in Physics and Mathematics from Houston Baptist University.

Dr. Bruce A. McCarl

Bruce A. McCarl, Regents Professor and Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. Received B.S. in Business Statistics at the University of Colorado and Ph.D. in Management Science from Pennsylvania State University. My recent research efforts have largely involved policy analysis (mainly in climate change, climate change mitigation, ENSO analysis and Edwards Aquifer water) as well as the proper application of quantitative methods to such analyses. I teach graduate courses in applied mathematical programming and applied risk analysis. Special Focus: Climate Change, Climate Change Mitigation, Water economics, Policy, Mathematical Programming.

Experience Tesla’s Model S

An AIAA Houston Section volunteer is a Tesla employee. Given the theme of this event, she suggested that Tesla make a Model S available for inspection after this dinner meeting event:

“Tesla’s award winning Model S, now with Autopilot features, is an evolution in automobile engineering. Our advanced electric drivetrain will propel you from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 2.8 seconds, without hesitation and without a drop of gasoline. With the highest safety rating in America and up to 270 miles range, Model S redefines performance driving.

“Experience Model S in Houston at the November AIAA Meeting.”

Schedule

5:30 – 6:00 PM Social with cash bar
6:00 – 7:00 PM meal & conversation: Red River BBQ self-serve buffet brisket & sausage (links), cole slaw, baked beans, with option for vegetarians and vegans (baked potato & salad).
7:00 – 7:20 PM International Space Station robotics operations for climate science instrument installment
7:20 – 8:00 PM Climate change science & public policy by Nobel laureate Dr. Bruce McCarl of Texas A&M University

Registration

Non-members: $25
Members & spouses or partners: $20
Full-time students with ID: $15
Registration is free for those not partaking of the meal.

RSVP

Reserve your spot today on the Eventbrite page or use the form below:

November Dinner Meeting: Climate Change Engineering, Science & Public Policy

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Please join us Tuesday, November 3, 5:30pm, NASA/JSC Gilruth Center, Alamo Ballroom for 2 presentations:

  • Using SPDM (Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator) DEXTRE and the International Space Station (ISS) robotic arm to install climate science instruments such as CATS (Cloud Aerosol Transport System) by NASA/JSC robotics engineer, Ian Mills
  • Climate change science & public policy by Nobel laureate Dr. Bruce McCarl of Texas A&M University

RSVP today (or visit the Eventbrite page)!

Bonus: “Experience Model S in Houston at the November AIAA Meeting.”
Tesla’s award winning Model S, now with Autopilot features, is an evolution in automobile engineering. Our advanced electric drivetrain will propel you from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 2.8 seconds, without hesitation and without a drop of gasoline. With the highest safety rating in America and up to 270 miles range, Model S redefines performance driving.

AIAA Houston February Dinner Meeting: Climate Change Science & Public Policy

Professor Barry Lefer (PhD) of the University of Houston will summarize the science and the public policy of climate change. Science and public policy will be discussed in equal measure in the presentation. Professor Lefer is also invited to discuss his climate change research, which includes a March 2015 trip to Alaska.

Professor Barry Lefer, University of Houston Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences:
– Associate Department Chair
– Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science, Atmospheric Chemistry
– B.A. Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia (1989)
– M.S. Earth Sciences-Geochemical Systems, University of New Hampshire (1992)
– Ph.D., Earth Sciences-Geochemical Systems, University of New Hampshire (1997)
– Post Doc, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (1997-2000)

Membership is not required. Non-diners are welcome to attend, too (no charge). Separate checks will be collected by the waiters after the meal for those who order something.

We are not using reservations for this casual dinner event. No advance notice is required, but for better event planning (knowing someone plans to attend, but not more than the room can accommodate), please email programs2014@aiaahouston.org (Programs Chair Laura Sarmiento) if you plan to attend.

Agenda

5:30 PM Networking and socializing
6:00 PM Suggested start time for dinner meals
7:00 PM Presentation starts (30 to 45 minutes)
7:45 PM Questions
8:00 PM Networking and socializing
8:30 PM Room reservation ends

February 19 Dinner: Climate Change Science & Public Policy

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Please join AIAA Houston for a rare opportunity to engage with Dr. Barry Lefer from the University of Houston, a local climate scientist, about the science and the public policy of climate change.

February 19, 2015
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant (Patio Room)

More details are available on the event page.

May/June 2014 Horizons Issue

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The May/June 2014 issue of Horizons is now online (46 pages in a 9 MB PDF file). Horizons is the newsletter of the Houston Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). This issue’s cover story is, “Morpheus, The Ups and Downs of an Autonomous Lander,” by Jon Olansen, NASA/JSC. This issue also contains climate change science and public policy articles, a book review by Bill West of the novel The Martian, by Andy Weir, a report on the 45th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, by Larry Jay Friesen, and articles and schedules from the Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (JSCAS), including, “Building an Astronomer’s Chair,” by Jim Wessel, and a summary of a presentation to JSCAS members by NASA astronaut Dr. Stanley G. Love, “Challenges of Traveling to Mars.”