To Boldly Go: The Universe Now and Beyond

摘要

Dr. France Cordova, NASA's Chief Scientist opened this, the third session in the NASA Administrator's Seminar Series, by asking the following question: 'What would be a bold and aspiring agenda for America's next era in space.' It aimed at answering the following questions: What do we know about the universe, and How do we know it. (Dr. Cordova also mentioned that the first seminar was about the definition of cellular life and how to recognize it, and featured as speakers, Dr. Lynn Margoles and Dr. Leslie Orgle.) Administrator Daniel S. Goldin was introduced; he welcomed the attendees, and remarked that NASA personnel have a critical need to explain to Congress and the public why a space program is important. Congress and the public pay for the space programs. Therefore the programs' importance cannot remain in the sole domain of scientists. Throughout history, the study of the stars has been important. For some, stars are a guide to navigation across oceans; for others, the stars identified the season for planting crops; still others studied the stars in connection with their religions.