Cornell in Space and in Boston
Did you know that a team from Cornell’s Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science is heavily engaged with NASA’s space program? The Cornell-NASA connection began with the late Carl Sagan and is carried on today by Steve Squyres, Professor of Physical Science at Cornell who studied under Sagan. Squyres is Principal Investigator on the NASA Mars Rover project which began with the 2004 landing of the Opportunity and Spirit rovers on Mars. Expected to travel just 1000 yards before expiring in 90 days, both rovers far exceeded those goals. Spirit eventually lost all power in 2010; however Opportunity traveled 28 miles and survived 14 years before being caught in a massive Martian dust storm last June and falling silent. And although NASA still sends daily communication to Opportunity, experts anticipate that this month—February–will mark the end of Opportunity’s remarkable story. Read more herein this recent NY Times article.
Looking ahead—way ahead–Professor Squyres and Cornell colleagues are part of a finalist team for a billion dollar NASA mission to Jupiter’s moons and comets. This mission will launch in 2025 and samples will arrive back on Earth in 2038! Learn more here.
Back here on Earth, our Notable Class of 1974 is hosting an informal gathering in Boston this coming Saturday, February 9 at 6:30 pm at The Summer Shack, 50 Dalton Street, Boston. The Class will provide hors d’oeuvres and we’ll have a cash bar. No RSVP needed—just show up!
Our 45th Reunion is just four months away! You should have received a large postcard last month with Reunion info. In late March you will receive a registration packet with details on Reunion activities and events. Reach out now to friends to encourage them to attend. I hope you will join us in June!
