Dr. Wendell W. Mendell


Manager
Human Exploration Science
NASA Johnson Space Center
Mail Code KX
Houston, Texas 77058

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.html


Dr. Wendell W. Mendell is the Manager, Office for Human Exploration Science at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). His research focus is remote sensing of planetary surfaces, particularly specializing in thermal emission radiometry and spectroscopy of the Moon. Over the past 19 years, he has worked in NASA on planning and advocacy of human exploration of the solar system, especially on the establishment of a permanent human base on the Moon. His interests in this regard lay as much with policy issues as with technical issues. He is most well known as the editor of the volume, Lunar Bases and Space Activities of the 21st Century; and he received the 1988 Space Pioneer Award for Science and Engineering from the National Space Society for this work.

Dr. Mendell has a B.S. in physics from the California Institute of Technology; a M.S. in physics from the University of California, Los Angeles; and a M.S. in Space Science and a Ph.D. in Space Physics and Astronomy from Rice University. Currently, Dr. Mendell splits his time between communicating the principles of the human exploration of the solar system to both lay and technical audiences and working on lunar research. He is a member of the College of Teachers of the International Space University (ISU). At ISU, he has led Design Projects for an International Lunar Base (1988), International Mars Mission (1991), International Lunar Farside Observatory and Science Station (1993), Vision 20/20 [a sampling of the future as seen by young space professionals] (1995), and Space Tourism: From Dream to Reality (2000).

He belongs to several professional scientific and engineering societies. He is most active in the International Academy of Astronautics, where he currently serves on the Academic Commission for Space Policy, Economics, and Law; and in the AIAA, where he has chaired the Space Science and Astronomy Technical Committee and sits on the International Activities Committee. He served on and chaired the Executive Committee of the Aerospace Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is the author of numerous papers published in professional journals and presented at professional conferences. He also writes space-related articles for popular magazines, has served as Technical Editor for professional journals, and currently sits on the Editorial Board of the journal, Space Policy.


csXe Mission Statement

The focus of the Center for Structures in Extreme Environments is the study of structures that are exemplary of the human spirit for exploration and advancement - whether it be the exploration of space, the settlement of the Moon and Mars, or pushing the frontiers of understanding and development of the ocean - we are glad to be a part of a very exciting aspect of the human adventure.

Full press release.

EVENT SCHEDULE

April 12, 2008

Rutgers Open House

May 5, 2008

Mechanical and Aerospace Senior Design Project Exhibition

May 21, 2008

University Commencement