NASA chief technologist visits RIT Sept. 3

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NASA/Bill Ingalls

Mason Peck, NASA Chief Technologist

The investment in technology that drives NASA’s space program will be the topic of a talk by NASA’s Chief Technologist Mason Peck next week at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Peck will explain the interconnection between technological advancements and space exploration, and what it means back on Earth, during his talk, “NASA Technology Investments: Building our Future in Space,” at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 in the auditorium of the Rochester Institute of Technology Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science. The free event is open to the public.

Peck serves as NASA’s chief technologist through an intergovernmental personnel agreement with Cornell University, where he is an associate professor in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

In his role at NASA, Peck leads the effort to coordinate technology programs. His office facilitates integration of available and new technology into operational systems that support specific human-exploration missions, science missions and aeronautics. NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist also engages other government agencies and the larger aerospace community to develop partnerships in areas of mutual interest that could lead to breakthrough capabilities.

Technology developed for national air and space missions often hold societal benefit. Peck will highlight NASA’s use of technology transfer and commercialization to help American entrepreneurs and innovators develop technological solutions that stimulate the growth of the global economy by creating new products and services, business and industries, and high-quality, sustainable jobs.

Peck’s visit to RIT is sponsored by RIT’s Center for Imaging Science. For more information, go to the RIT College of Science website.