Next-gen Suborbital Researchers Conference, presentation on engaging the "interested public" Options

[elakdawalla]

On Friday I'll be giving a presentation to the Next-generation Suborbital Researchers Conference, which is being convened for the following purpose:

A new generation of space vehicles capable of economically delivering payloads and researchers is coming on line beginning in 2010. These vehicles will revolutionize space access by providing frequent, low-cost access to space and the capability to carry research and education crew members. They will also carry experiments for technology demonstrations, for scientist in-the-loop research, and for educational/public outreach demonstrations.

Fields including atmospheric science, solar physics, microgravity science, planetary science, space life science, space physics, and education and public outreach (EPO) stand to benefit from these vehicles.

NSRC2010 will provide a forum to learn about the research and EPO capabilities of these new systems, their experiments, and EPO integration processes. NSRC2010 will also provide input on vehicle design requirements for science and education.

The conveners include people like Alan Stern and David Grinspoon, who are really interested in public engagement. I was invited to give a talk on how to engage the public, and I plan to focus my talk on engaging the "interested public" -- that is to say, you guys. I've just outlined my talk and wanted to invite anybody interested to review and suggest any additions or changes. In particular, I would really like to know if you all have any suggestions that are more specific to the focus of the conference, suborbital flight experiments that are going to be enabled by the new private launch capabilities coming online soon?

My talk outline is attached.

Attached File(s)

 Social_Networking_Planetary_Science_Outline.doc ( 41K ) Number of downloads: 432

 

[djellison]

Only thing I'd change...

"However, unlike with VMC, these missions have so far failed to take advantage of excellent image processing work of amateurs"

They've not taken advantage PUBLICLY - but we know that JC's driveability maps have been found useful, and we have Squyres on record saying he looks at UMSF after a drive to get mosaics etc.

[Juramike]

I'd stress the point that a lot of us "amateur enthusiasts" are giving outreach talks and presentations on our own.

So by getting the interested amateurs more involved, that will in turn leverage the overall outreach to the different levels for the general public. (classrooms, museum groups, etc.) More power for less bucks.

[elakdawalla]

Oh, right, I meant to mention that, thank you.

[nprev]

Suggest adding a bullet about inviting some of the most talented & interested amateurs to deliver presentations at professional forums showcasing their talents. I think Doug's talk last year @ JPL was a great prototype for this since it very effectively communicated the contributions possible by amateurs; this can only help foster new ideas for pro-am collaborative outreach.

[Astro0]

Emily,
Maybe a few extra 'what the public can do for your mission' bullets:

What about the production of 3D virtual flyovers for missions.
eg: the recent work by Doug and Mars3D with the HiRise and Pathfinder images.

Imaging and accessibility tools like Michael's MMB also come to mind.
Making viewing/using the images easier for a wider audience.

Another case in point would be dispelling myths. Erroneous media reports..eg: water puddle in VC and the Big Foot incidents.
Both were put to bed very quickly by the interested public, yourself included.

Bottom line: The interested public has the time and the talent and they know you (the missions) don't have the time or the money.

[nprev]

Great post number 1000, Astro0!

[Astro0]

Compared to some, I guess I don't say much around here.
I just try for quality rather than quantity

Hmmmm and that's the best I could come with for post 1001!

[nprev]

I just try for quality rather than quantity

You do exceedingly well! I'm resigned to my role as the opposite endpoint of the bell curve...

[elakdawalla]

Thanks everybody for all your helpful comments! I'm incorporating them into the talk.

[djellison]

Oh - who did those PHX landing reconstructions? You mention accelerometer data etc - that's what made that possible I think, might be worth a quick mention?

[ElkGroveDan]

Daniel Muller had that great countdown to landing graphic, it's been removed from his link now though.
http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?showtopic=5075


But I believe you were looking for this discussion:
kwan3217 was the first to post a video, but the interesting back and forth discussion begins at #39. It's interesting because it demonstrates the genesis of locating data and turning it into a product as a spontaneous collaborative effort. I'd say the graph was the first wow! moment from that process, as Emily pointed out at the time seeing the leg deployment data was just amazing. And then of course, the video

[hendric]

Oh snap!

Emily,
I really liked your presentation. Will the actual presentation be videoed?

[mcaplinger]

Pardon the skepticism, but I fail to see what suborbital research has to do with planetary science in anything but the most general way.

I remain to be convinced that this initiative is anything more than a solution in search of a problem.

[remcook]

For imaging not much I imagine, but perhaps a little bit of UV spectroscopy, etc. like they did in the olden days. Not sure how much added value that is though and how much time a suborbital observation takes - probably not that long.