Speaker From Nasa to Discuss the X-38 Space "Lifeboat"

by LoAna Lopez

A member of the team that designed the X-38 space station lifeboat at NASA will be on hand to speak about that technology and visit with engineering students on Friday.
Rick Barton, chief of the applied aerosciences and computational fluid dynamics branch of the Engineering Directorate of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, will speak at an 11 a.m. class, then talk about "The X-38 Aerodynamic Challenges at NASA JSC" during a noon seminar in Room 109 of the Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Building.
Dr. Kenneth Van Treuren, associate professor of engineering, said this is a great opportunity for students to hear from someone who is involved with such cutting-edge technology in the space program. "The whole concept of a space lifeboat that can bring a person safely back from a space station to earth is really fascinating," he said.
Barton will make a 45-minute presentation then answer questions. For more information about his visit, please call the department of engineering at 710-3877.