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UC Davis experts: Space science and exploration

The following UC Davis faculty are available to discuss issues related to aircraft, rockets and spaceflight.

Space-travel stress

UC Davis social psychologist Al Harrison has been studying the psychology of space exploration for 20 years, including the search for life beyond Earth. Author of the 2001 book, "Spacefaring: The Human Dimension," Harrison can talk about life support, habitability, crew selection and training, coping with stress, group dynamics, accidents, off-duty activities, space tourism, space settlements and interstellar travel. He can also discuss the organizational and political contexts that shape human progress in space. His earlier books include "From Antarctica to Outer Space: Life in Isolation and Confinement" (1991) and "After Contact: The Human Response to Extraterrestrial Life" (1997). Contact: Albert Harrison, Psychology, (530) 757-3292 office, (530) 756-2361 home, aaharrison@ucdavis.edu.

Effects of life in space

When astronauts are weightless for more than a short time, bones lose calcium, muscles wither, and blood moves from the legs to the face and head, says Chuck Fuller, professor of exercise science at UC Davis. The heart gets weaker, because it has less resistance to push against. There are also changes in circadian rhythms, body temperature regulation and body composition. Research in Fuller’s laboratory has shown that these changes are triggered by the effects of gravity on the inner ear. Fuller also studies how different light levels and day lengths, for example on a long space journey or on another planet, affect circadian rhythms. He collaborates with researchers at the NASA Ames Research Center and has flown experiments on both the Space Shuttle and Russian spacecraft. Contact: Charles Fuller, Exercise Science, (530) 752-1555, cafuller@ucdavis.edu.

Robots and space exploration

Sanjay Joshi, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UC Davis, studies robots and control systems for space missions. Robots, or autonomous systems, can replace humans for dangerous tasks such as space exploration, he says. These robots can carry out repetitive tasks, learn new tasks and fix their own breakdowns and other problems. Before joining UC Davis in 2001, Joshi was at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he worked on projects including the Deep Space 1 space probe and development of robot "work crews" for Mars exploration. Deep Space 1, launched to test a range of new technologies, accomplished a fly-by of asteroid Braille in July 1999. It was then repaired in flight, 150 million miles from Earth, to go on to comet Borrelly. Contact: Sanjay Joshi, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, (530) 754-9662, maejoshi@ucdavis.edu.

Dynamic stability of rocket systems

Fidelis Eke, associate professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering at UC Davis, studies the dynamics of rockets and spacecraft and how they can be controlled in flight. At launch, the combined rocket and spacecraft is very large, but as fuel is burned during flight the mass of the vehicle continually changes and shifts. Eke analyzes how these factors affect the movement of rockets, finding out "what to be careful of and what to avoid" in designing rocket systems. Eke has worked with spacecraft systems for the past 10 years, predominantly with NASA. Contact: Fidelis Eke, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, (530) 752-2309, foeke@ucdavis.edu.

Training space engineers

Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn, a professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering, coordinates the UC Davis SpaceEd graduate program in space engineering. Funded by a grant from the California Space Authority, SpaceEd aims to increase the number of qualified space engineers to meet the needs of the growing space industry, Sarigul-Klijn says. While the traditional aircraft industry has declined in California, there are a number of companies in fields such as rocket engines and satellite construction that have difficulty finding qualified young engineers. For example, NASA has more engineers over 60 than under 30. Sarigul-Klijn, who is a qualified pilot, also teaches undergraduate level courses in rocket engineering, in which students build and launch their own rockets. Contact: Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, (530) 752-0862, nsarigulklijn@ucdavis.edu.

Reusable spacecraft

Plans for a cheaper, reusable spacecraft launched from a large cargo plane are being developed by Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn, professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering at UC Davis. The spacecraft, called SwiftLaunch, would carry up to three people or a small payload into orbit. It would be carried to its launch height inside a cargo plane such as a C-5 "Galaxy" and pulled out of the rear cargo door by parachutes. Once clear of the carrier plane, the rocket engine would fire to carry the vehicle into orbit. The proposal is currently being reviewed by NASA and the U.S. Air Force. Contact: Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, (530) 752-0862, nsarigulklijn@ucdavis.edu.

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Last updated Aug. 7, 2007