NASA Ames Research Center Director Talks Lunar Exploration to Students in China

On July 12, 2007 in Houston, Dr. Pete Worden, NASA Ames Research Center Director, was the speaker in a live webcast to 12 International Space University (ISU) students in China. The purpose of the workshop was to examine the potential role of international partnerships in the developing of the first lunar outposts. The webcast itself was groundbreaking because it was one of the first times that NASA has participated in an educational webcast to China.

As part of the ISU curriculum, students are discussing the unique challenge of constructing and using a lunar outpost. After Worden’s presentation, there were 10 minutes where students asked Worden questions and additional discussions. As further follow up to the presentation, students proposed a schedule of necessary steps to implement their key ideas to turn their lunar outpost into reality. As part of the ISU curriculum, students are discussing the unique challenge of constructing and using a lunar outpost. After Worden’s presentation, there were 10 minutes where students asked Worden questions and additional discussions. As further follow up to the presentation, students proposed a schedule of necessary steps to implement their key ideas to turn their lunar outpost into reality.

The U.S. plans to build the transportation infrastructure and the initial communication for lunar exploration. However, NASA is welcoming external development of surface infrastructure from other countries. This discussion is an example of the many ways that NASA is outreaching to other countries to design space exploration technology.