John Mace Grunsfeld, PhD
Astronaut/Astrophysicist/Explorer
“Hubble Repairman” and NPR “Car-Talk” caller from space!
April 28, 2023 at Noon (doors open at 11:30 am) Avalon Ballroom – 6185 Arapahoe Rd. Boulder, Colorado 80303
Abstract:
The Hubble Space Telescope has been called the most productive scientific instrument in human history. Launched in 1990, the telescope has performed observations which have measured the age of the Universe, confirmed the existence of black holes, discovered the accelerating Universe, and amazed the general public. On Christmas day in 2021 the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched into space after decades of development. JWST was designed to extend the view of Hubble in regions of the cosmos Hubble can’t penetrate. JWST is exceeding the grand expectations of its ability to unravel the mysteries of the Universe. Join Astronaut/Astrophysicist John Grunsfeld as he takes us through the stories of Hubble and Webb. Dr. Grunsfeld is known as the “Hubble repairman” having flown on 5 shuttle flights including 3 missions to service and upgrade the telescope. His current research is in the search for life in the Universe.
John M. Grunsfeld, Phd, President/CEO Endless Frontier Associates, is a scientist and former astronaut and with extensive experience as a leader in human space exploration, space science missions, and national space policy. He has served as a NASA astronaut, the Associate Administrator for Science, and Chief Scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. As Associate Administrator his responsibilities included a $7B/year portfolio of Earth Science, Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the NOAA weather satellite program. Previously he served as the Deputy Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, managing the science program for the Hubble Space Telescope and the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope. Grunsfeld’s scientific research is in planetary science and the search for life beyond Earth. He has deep knowledge in Earth and Climate science and strategies to fight climate change. He has also been a professor of physics at Johns Hopkins University. Grunsfeld is also an avid explorer, enjoying mountaineering, bicycling, sailing, and flying small aircraft. He is most well known as the Hubble Repairman and for calling in to the NPR radio show “Car-Talk” from space.
Contact info: john.m.grunsfeld@alum.mit.edu 410-227-6008