NASA’s Dr Japie to host most interesting space talk in Walvis Bay on 20 December – send the kids

Eye Namibia, in partnership with the American corner in Walvis Bay, presents a talk on Robotic Solar Systems Exploration presented by Dr Japie Van Zyl, the well known Namibian working for US space agency NASA in the United States of America.
Earlier this year, Dr Japie van Zyl had several skype presentations with learners from schools in Walvis Bay. Again, it was such an inspirational experience that he decided to share this with the rest of the community at large. Therefore, we invite learners, parents, and members of the public to join us.
Come and see some of the moons and planets NASA has visited with their space-craft and learn more about the wonders of the universe.
Come and see why he believes that if you can dream it, you can make it a reality.
Dr Japie Van Zyl is the Director for Solar System Exploration at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Previously, he was the Associate Director of Project Formulation and Strategy. Formerly, he was the Director of JPL’s Astronomy and Physics Directorate. Van Zyl received an honors bachelor’s degree cum laude in electronics engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa. He received both his master’s and his doctorate in electrical engineering from Caltech.
Van Zyl joined JPL in 1986 and held positions of increasing responsibility in the synthetic aperture radar program. In addition, he managed the Radar Science and Engineering Section, the Earth Science Flight Missions and Experiments Office, and the Focused Physical Oceanography and Solid Earth Program Office. He was appointed Deputy Director for the Astronomy and Physics Directorate in 2002. He has been an adjunct faculty member in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, the /University of Southern California, where he taught “Remote Sensing Systems from Space” from 1997 to 2001.
Since 2002, he has been teaching “Physics and Techniques of Remote Sensing” at Caltech. Because he believes he must give back as much as possible to the continent he comes from, he often accepts invitations to speak at events in South Africa and Namibia.
This is an open invitation to all parents, children and interested community members. Location: Community Church, Nangolo Mbumba Drive, Walvis Bay, Time: 19:00.
General admission donations @ the door
For more information please contact 081 245 6062