Distinguished research scientist to talk about space exploration of Mars

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - R. Stephen Saunders, project scientist of the Mars Surveyor Program 2001 mission Odyssey, will visit the University of Arkansas next week to present a public lecture as part of the 2001 lecture series hosted by the Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for Space and Planetary Sciences. He will give a talk about space exploration of Mars entitled, "Odyssey: The Exploration of Mars" at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 in the Poultry Science Auditorium, room 211. It is free to the public.

The talk centers around the Odyssey mission launched on April 7, 2001. In the short time since its arrival at Mars on Oct. 23, Odyssey has been able to provide an incredible amount of information. Saunders will discuss Odyssey’s first thermal infrared temperature images as well as the process of aerobraking and how it has ensured the success of the mission. Saunders will also address the mapping mission that will begin in February 2002 when Odyssey reaches the surface of Mars.

Saunders is a senior research scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. He is director of JPL’s Planetary Image Facility and is project scientist for the Planetary Data System. He has recently been appointed leader of the Office of Space Science Solar System Exploration Education and Outreach Forum, and he is also center scientist for the JPL Center for In Situ Exploration and Sample Return.

For further information see http://www.uark.edu/csaps