Exploring Space at a University:  Kepler Mission at CU Boulder

The Kepler spacecraft, launched in 2009, has been one of NASA’s most successful scientific missions.  From the first command to the spacecraft, students at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at University of Colorado in Boulder have been participating in Kepler’s mission operations.  Kepler has amazed the world with the discovery

The Kepler Space Telescope: Exoplanet Hunter

of numerous planets circling distant stars in our galaxy (Exoplanets).  Yet Kepler has been one of the most challenging spacecraft to operate due to several on-orbit spacecraft system failures.  Despite these failures, Kepler continues to collect valuable astronomical data and provide a training ground for future space professionals.

Our Speaker this month is Bill Possel, Director of Mission Operations and Data Systems at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado at Boulder.  He has over thirty years of experience in space system management, development, and operations with the Air Force, National Reconnaissance Office, and NASA.

Prior to his appointment at LASP, he served in the Air Force, retiring at the rank of Colonel. He holds a Bachelor of Science in physics and a Master’s of Science in engineering physics from the Air Force Institute of Technology.   During his Air Force career he managed numerous space system and launch vehicle programs and directed spacecraft operations at ground stations.  His experience covers space systems from concept study through launch and on-orbit operations.

Kepler was the first telescope to find an Earth size planet in the habitable zone

The observatory is just north of the high school at 1600 Manford Ave. Park in the teacher’s parking lot between the high school and the observatory. The doors will open at 7:00 pm and the meeting will start at 7:30 pm.  The presentation, including a question and answer period, lasts about an hour. After the presentation, weather permitting, we will look through our new 16 inch dome telescope at various celestial objects.