Space: From Firecrackers
to Interstellar Flight
The lecture focuses on (1) science and
technology developments that led to the space age and (2) the
critically important role space plays in the 21st century.
Part 1. The First Thousand Years.
(87 min webcast)
The first part of the lecture discusses the
early history of rocketry and introduces visionaries, scientists,
engineers, and political and military leaders who opened the way to
space. It concludes with the launch of first artificial satellites
fifty years ago. Based on an
award-winning book.
Part 2. Space in 21st Century.
(84 min webcast)
The second part of the lecture considers
directions of the development of space technology and applications
in the 21st century. The ultimate frontier of space inspires the new
generation of explorers and plays an increasingly important role in
the life of the society, with particularly critical impact on
national security, economic competitiveness, and government
policies.
Professor of Astronautics
Mike Gruntman gave this
two-part lecture for the special Micro-Seminar Program to the
incoming freshmen on 21 and 22 August 2008 at the
University of Southern California
(USC). The Micro-Seminars Program is a component of USC’s
First Contact
Initiative, whose purpose is to enhance interactions between USC
faculty and undergraduate students. The USC
Astronautics and Space Technology
Division offers a complete set of degrees (Bachelor, Bachelor Minor,
Master, Engineer, PhD, Graduate
Certificate) in Astronautical Engineering.
The webcasts are courtesy (thanks!)
the Distance Education Network of the
USC Viterbi School of Engineering.
