Science Utah: Back to the Moon

With Artemis set to land the next astronauts on the lunar surface, explore how life aboard the International Space Station and cutting-edge metallurgical engineering are building the technologies that will make it possible. Join Clark Planetarium and PBS Utah as we explore the realities and future of space travel.

Drawing from over 250 hours of footage and video diaries filmed on the International Space Station, this documentary is inspired by the Emmy-winning virtual reality series Space Explorers: The ISS Experience. Featuring astronauts Anne McClain, Victor Glover, and David Saint-Jacques, the program offers a look at life aboard the International Space Station and the future of space exploration.

Trailer: Moonrise on the ISS - Space Explorers | Official Trailer English | Felix & Paul Studios - YouTube

Space exploration places extraordinary demands on materials. Spacecraft, habitats, and propulsion systems must survive extreme temperatures, radiation, micrometeoroid impacts, and the vacuum of space.

This lecture introduces how materials scientists design metals and structures that allow humans and machines to operate in these harsh environments. Using examples from the International Space Station, lunar exploration technologies, and current NASA collaborations, the talk will show how advances in materials science are enabling future missions to the Moon and beyond.

The presentation will also include insights from working with NASA researchers and interactions with astronauts, offering a glimpse into how engineering, science, and exploration come together in modern space missions.

DR. SUHAS ESWARAPPA PRAMEELA is an Assistant Professor (tenure track) in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, College of Mines and Earth Sciences. He previously held dual postdoctoral fellowships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 2022 to 2024, serving as an MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and as an MIT Engineering Excellence Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Dr. Prameela earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Johns Hopkins University (2016–2022) and his M.S. in the same field from Arizona State University (2014–2016).
Dr. Prameela has received numerous accolades for his contributions to materials science and aerospace research. In 2023, he was recognized as a Future Leader in Aerospace at MIT and received the Early Career Distinguished Scholar Award from the University of California, Irvine. He also earned the 2023 Outstanding Reviewer Award from Acta Materialia and previously received the 2021 Outstanding Reviewer Award from the Journal of Magnesium and Alloys. His research excellence has been further acknowledged through the 2022 MIT Open Data Prize (Runner-up) and the 2021 Inphi Engineering Graduate Scholarship. Additionally, he won the Best Poster Award – People’s Choice at the MACH 2019 Conference.

This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Please reserve only the number of tickets you will use.

About Science Utah:

The Science Utah Lecture Series is dedicated to bringing the latest scientific discoveries and discussions to the public, for free, by offering engaging lectures led by Utah-based scientists and researchers working in various fields.

To help support Clark Planetarium's efforts, please consider making a small donation at https://givebutter.com/ScienceUT. All donations aid Clark Planetarium and the free community events we offer year-round. Your contribution is invaluable in helping us inspire and educate people of all ages about the wonder of the universe.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Clark Planetarium, 110 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, United States

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