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"Robots versus Humans in Spaceflight:
Technology,Evolution, and Interplanetary Travel"
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 SEATTLE, April 2, 2010-- Chair of the Division of Space History, National Air and Space Museum and former Chief Historian at NASA, Dr. Roger Launius will make a presentation on April 15 at 7 p.m. based on his recent book that explores the history and possible futures for human and robotic spaceflight, "Imagining Space: Achievements, Possibilities, Predictions, 1950-2050." The special, evening program in the William M. Allen Theater is followed by a question and answer session and book signing. $10 admission/$5 Museum members.
Roger D. Launius graduated from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa and received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, in 1982. He then worked as a civilian historian with the United States Air Force until 1990, when he became chief historian of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1990 to 2002.
Launius has written or edited more than 20 books on aerospace history, and pursues research in other historical areas as well. Most recently he has been studying the relationship of baseball to American culture and has published, "Seasons in the Sun: The Story of Big League Baseball in Missouri" (University of Missouri Press, 2002).
Launius has lectured widely on historical subjects to military, academic, technical, and general audiences. He has also served part time on the faculties of several colleges and universities. He has acted as a reader for publishers, as a member of the governing councils of several professional associations, and served on the editorial boards of numerous journals. He is an active member of several professional associations, among them the American Astronautical Society, where he is a fellow and member of the board; the American Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, the Society for History in the Federal Government, and the Society for the History of Technology. He served as chair of the history and education panel of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission between 1999 and 2004. In 2003 he served as a consultant to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB). He is a recipient of the Exceptional Service Medal and the Exceptional Achievement Medal from NASA.
Launius presented the prestigious Harmon Memorial Lecture in Military History at the United States Air Force Academy in 2006. He is frequently consulted by the electronic and print media for his views on space issues, and has been a guest commentator on National Public Radio and major television networks.
Photo courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum.
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The non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest independent air and space museums in the world. The Museum's collection includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, as well as the William E. Boeing Red Barn® -- the original manufacturing facility of the Boeing Co. The J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing displays 28 World War I and World War II aircraft from the United States and other countries including Germany, Russia, and Japan. Over 30 aircraft representing the first century of aviation are displayed in the all-glass T.A. Wilson Great Gallery. The evolution of space flight and a look into the future are presented in the exhibit, Space: Exploring the New Frontier. The Airpark includes outdoor displays including the first jet Air Force One, a supersonic Concorde airliner and the prototype Boeing 747 jumbo jet. Interactive displays in The Flight Zone provide educational and entertaining activities for young children. The Museum's aeronautical library and archival holdings are the largest on the West Coast. More than 140,000 students are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs--the most extensive museum-based youth aviation and space education program in the country. The Museum is the only air and space museum in Washington State that is both nationally accredited with the American Association of Museums and a Smithsonian affiliate. The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for active military, $8 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org
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SEATTLE, April 2, 2010-- 