The event was hosted by the College of Science as part of “Science Unwrapped,” a lecture series that kicked off in February.
Mary-Ann Muffoletto, public relations specialist for the College of Science, said, “Our goal is to provide the community with an entertaining opportunity to learn about science.”
The lecture was titled “Rockets and Energetic Materials: Spaceflights from Goddard to Ares.”
Wardle began by saying, “By doing this, I am categorizing myself as a nerd and a rocket scientist.” Then he proceeded to joke about rocket scientists. He kept the lecture fresh with demonstrations, interesting facts and his passion for rocket history.
Wardle mentioned that the Saturn V, a moon rocket, put out 8.7 million pounds of thrust to get the astronauts to the moon, but with less computing power than a four-function calculator.
The launch countdown began as part of a 1930s movie, Wardle said.
“We didn’t even invent the countdown,” he said. “Hollywood did.”
The Russians later followed suit and adopted a launch countdown in more recent years.
Before jumping to technical rocket burn profiles, he also said the space race was “a race between the German scientists the Americans took and the German scientists that the Russians took.” In later years, the scientists were taken to Mexico so they could cross and become official immigrants.
Much of Wardle’s work has been “the dream of an 11-year-old: to design things that blow up and go really fast.” As a chemist at ATK, he has worked on the chemistry of rocket propellant, which he described as having the consistency of a pencil eraser.
Many students attended and found out what it means to be a rocket scientist. Wardle encouraged them to learn and study, saying the rockets are “as fascinating, as engaging and as exciting as anything you can work on.”
After the lecture, attendees headed to a reception and rocket demonstration on the Quad. Participants watched as rockets zoomed and whizzed into the air, courtesy of the College of Science. As the rockets parachuted down, the children ran after them.
Mary Hubbard, dean of the College of Science, introduced Wardle saying, “Bob is not a stranger to Utah State University. Bob was a student here in chemistry. He is a member of the College of Science Advisory Board.”
Amid the festivities, Nic Wilcox, freshman in physics, said, “I never had understood how a rocket works” prior to the presentation. Wilcox came to USU because of the reputable physics program.
While discussing NASA’s planned flights to Mars, he said, “It’ll be cool once they do it. I wonder how long it will take.”
It’s not just Wilcox asking that question. With only six Shuttle launches left and development work underway, the future of the space program may seem a little uncertain; however, NASA has laid the groundwork for expeditions to the moon and Mars as part of NASA’s new Constellation Program.
As Wardle answered questions after the lecture he said, “Our future has to lie beyond the bounds of this planet. We have to reach for the skies.
“The Space Shuttle is not very efficient as a cargo hold or even for carrying people,” Wardle said.
He said the Constellation Program with the Aries I Manned Launch Vehicle and Aries V Cargo Launch Vehicle will be able to carry massive amounts of material into space.
According to the NASA Web site, Aries I can carry seven astronauts with a payload of 24.4 metric tons. The Aries V vehicle will be able to carry up to 188 metric tons – more than seven times the cargo capacity of the shuttle. All of which is needed to leave Earth’s orbit and travel to mars.
The lecture was fitting because this year is the International Year of Astronomy. The lecture followed the delayed Aries DM-1 static rocket test, and proceeded a Space Shuttle launch that occurred two hours later.
“Science Unwrapped” has become an important part of the College of Science’s outreach efforts to help keep the community in touch with the science that happens at USU. Muffuletto explained many people are “intimidated by science,” and this event was a way to let the community connect to science.
The lecture series will continue Sept. 25 with “Fire, Ice and Explosions.” Details are available on the Web site, www.usu.edu/unwrapped. More details on space exploration can be found on NASA’s Web site at www.NASA.gov.
–r.perkins@aggiemail.usu.edu