National Geographic Events

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Exploring Mars: The Next Generation

  • Date
    January 19, 2011
  • Time 7:30 p.m.
  • Location Phoenix, AZ
  • Price Single event tickets start at $24. Three-part series tickets start at $58.50.

Past Event

Photo: The Mars Science Laboratory
An artist’s conception of the Mars Science Laboratory

Image courtesy NASA

Photo: Kobie Boykins

Kobie Boykins

Photograph courtesy NASA

In 2004, NASA captured the world’s imagination with the successful deployment of the Mars Expedition Rovers, “Spirit” and “Opportunity.” After completing their planned missions, something amazing happened: the solar energy-driven ROVs kept on going, capturing additional data and sending back images while working beyond their 90-day planned life. “Opportunity” is still roaming Mars today—more than five years later. Recently, this hardy rover surpassed 20 kilometers of total driving since landing on Mars, and is still going strong.

Kobie Boykins, a mechanical engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, designed and helped build the celebrated solar arrays that power the rovers. Boykins is currently working on NASA‘s Mars Science Laboratory—a next-generation rover that will assess the planet’s ability to support microbial life. The upcoming mission is scheduled for launch in the fall of 2011.

Boykins’ enthusiasm for space exploration and Mars in particular is infectious (as demonstrated in this YouTube video). Join him for an engaging evening exploring the Red Planet.

Return to the Arizona Speaker Series main page.

View our Tickets and Information page.

Get Directions

National Geographic Live Arizona

Mesa Arts Center
1 East Main Street

Phoenix, AZ, US

85201

Telephone: +1 480 644 6500

Lat/Lon: 33.415052699999997, -111.831419699999998

  • Photo: Mireya Mayor with lemur
    My Wild Life
    SpeakersWednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.Phoenix, AZ

    Primatologist, explorer, and Nat Geo WILD correspondent Mireya Mayor shares highlights from her scientific and journalistic work.

Event Sponsors

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