**We welcome everyone to this event, from upper-level undergraduate students, post-docs and faculty to the general public. Come join us!**
Event Information:
Abstract:
TALK RECORDING AVAILABLE AT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dxf3FnXZUTK7MsYFDV7Wy-Ul0NSmCpyZ/view?usp=sharing
In over two thirds of rocket launches, the upper stage of the rocket is simply abandoned in orbit, where it eventually falls back down to Earth. These uncontrolled reentries create a risk of casualty to people on the ground, at sea and in aircraft. With a record 180 launches in 2022 (soon to be broken in 2023), and more people on Earth than ever, this risk is growing. There is a technical solution to this problem: using controlled reentries, which aim the upper stage to crash into a remote area of the ocean, away from people and aircraft. But these are not widely used. Why not? And what can I do about it, as a PhD student sitting in my bedroom talking to a laptop? This interdisciplinary talk will discuss some history, some rocket engineering, some law, some international relations, and maybe even some physics.
Add to Calendar
2023-11-01T15:00:002023-11-01T16:00:00Downward spirals: a PhD on risky rocket reentriesEvent Information:
Abstract:
TALK RECORDING AVAILABLE AT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dxf3FnXZUTK7MsYFDV7Wy-Ul0NSmCpyZ/view?usp=sharing
In over two thirds of rocket launches, the upper stage of the rocket is simply abandoned in orbit, where it eventually falls back down to Earth. These uncontrolled reentries create a risk of casualty to people on the ground, at sea and in aircraft. With a record 180 launches in 2022 (soon to be broken in 2023), and more people on Earth than ever, this risk is growing. There is a technical solution to this problem: using controlled reentries, which aim the upper stage to crash into a remote area of the ocean, away from people and aircraft. But these are not widely used. Why not? And what can I do about it, as a PhD student sitting in my bedroom talking to a laptop? This interdisciplinary talk will discuss some history, some rocket engineering, some law, some international relations, and maybe even some physics. Event Location:
Henn 318