When I was in middle school, my biology teacher showed our class the sci-fi movie “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.”
The plot drew me in, with its depiction of the “Genesis Project” – a new technology that transformed a dead alien world into one brimming with life.
After watching the movie, my teacher asked us to write an essay about such technology. Was it realistic? Was it ethical? And to channel our inner Spock: Was it logical? This assignment had a huge impact on me.
Fast-forward to today, and I’m an engineer and professor developing technologies to extend the human presence beyond Earth.
For example: I’m working on advanced propulsion systems to take spacecraft beyond Earth’s orbit. I’m helping to develop lunar construction technologies to support NASA’s goal of long-term human presence on the Moon. And I’ve been on a team that showed how to 3D-print habitats on Mars.
