What role does imagination play in exploring realms beyond Earth?

Imagining the human exploration of Mars depends on creative inquiry across the arts, sciences, and engineering, where speculation is essential in the face of profound unknowns. What role does imagination play in exploring realms beyond Earth? This cross-disciplinary panel examines how imaginative thinking informs research, drives technical development, and supports the collective effort to envision human life beyond our planet.

In connection with the recent release of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report, A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars (2025), join us for a D.C. Art Science Evening Rendezvous (DASER) on the Human Exploration of Mars. The program will include short talks by four speakers, community sharing, audience discussion and Q & A, and a reception.

Speakers:

Richelle Ellis, Artist, Analog Astronaut, Co-founder of Inploration

Pascal Lee, Artist and Planetary Scientist, SETI Institute

Dava Newman, Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Aeronautics and Astronautics, a Harvard–MIT Health, Sciences, and Technology faculty member, former director of the MIT Media Lab, and former NASA Deputy Administrator

Carolyn Russo, Museum Specialist and Curator of the Art Collection, Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

Agenda:

6:00 – 6:30 Check in, take seats in Fred Kavli Auditorium

6:30 – 6:40 Welcoming remarks and introductions by JD Talasek, director, Cultural Programs, National Academy of Sciences (CPNAS), Washington, D.C.

6:40 – 7:25 Presentations

7:25 – 8:10 Discussion and Audience Q & A

8:10 – 8:30 Community Share:If you’re working at the intersection of science and humanities, you have 30 seconds to share your work. Please present it as a teaser so those interested can find you. during the reception.

8:30 – 9:15 Reception in the Great Hall and Upstairs Gallery with time to view Symmetries and Broken Symmetries: Shanthi Chanddrasekar and Michael Albrow

About DASER

DC Art Science Evening Rendezvous (DASER) is organized to explore several key questions: What are the relationships among art, science, technology, culture, and all related disciplines or systems of understanding? How do these disciplines relate to one another to foster creativity, innovation, and discovery? What are the tangible results of these interactions? DASER aims to create community and discussion around the intersection of art and science.

DASER is organized by Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences in collaboration with Leonardo, the International Society for the Arts, Sciences, and Technology. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the DASER events are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the National Academy of Sciences or of Leonardo.

About the Study

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars outlines how future campaigns can advance the highest-priority scientific goals for understanding the Red Planet and preparing for sustained human exploration. The report identifies opportunities to search for signs of life beyond Earth, reveal how planets evolve, and test systems and resources that can support humans far from home. The NASA-sponsored study was directed by the staff of the Center for Advancing Science and Technology (CAST) Aeronautics, Space, and Astronomy (ASA) Program Area, Dr. Abigail Sheffer and Dr. Kelsie Krafton. The study was co-chaired by Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton and Dr. Dava Newman.

Photo ID Requirement

This is an in-person event with the option to watch the recording afterward. A government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) is required to enter the building.