Newswise — WASHINGTON, August 14, 2020 -- Michael Moloney, CEO of the American Institute of Physics, joins the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space as a member of their board of directors in their efforts to optimize the use of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory.
The laboratory is used “for improving quality of life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.” It manages access to a permanent microgravity research environment, a vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space.
Moloney joins three other new members on the board of directors: Eric D. Isaacs, president of the Carnegie Institution for Science; Elizabeth R. Cantwell, senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of Arizona; and Gale J. Allen, executive director of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research.
Prior to his tenure at AIP, Moloney was the director for space and aeronautics at the Space Studies Board and the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. His work delved into the future of NASA’s space science and human exploration programs, quantum physics, nanotechnology, cosmology, the nation’s helium reserves, counterfeit currency, corrosion science, and nuclear fusion. Moloney oversaw the completion of the Academies’ first decadal survey in life and physical sciences in microgravity as well as the founding of the Academies’ Committee on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space and the Space Technology Industry-Government-University Roundtable.
“This is a thrilling opportunity to bring the physics and physical sciences to bear on future uses of the ISS U.S. National Laboratory to enhance exploration in space and bring value to our nation,” Moloney said. “CASIS manages the ISS National Lab and its utilization for research investigations that require the capacity to utilize microgravity. I am honored to have the opportunity to help shape our goals for this unique research platform in space toward the betterment of life on our planet.”
“The ISS is a one-of-a-kind technological marvel that has continuously provided shelter to humans for nearly 20 years, supporting nearly 3,000 scientific experiments. Now, it is paving the way for an economy in low Earth orbit,” said CASIS Interim Board Chair retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Abrahamson. “These board members, in collaboration with our partners at NASA, will help guide the ISS National Lab in seeking to solve complex research challenges of national importance, enabling avenues to advance marketable scientific disciplines, such as in-space production and regenerative medicine. We look forward to their insight and direction.”
Moloney and the three new board members will join Abrahamson, former NASA astronaut Steven Smith, and STEM Hall of Fame inductee Ioannis (Yannis) Miaoulis.
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About American Institute of Physics
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a 501(c)(3) membership corporation of scientific societies. AIP pursues its mission—to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity—with a unifying voice of strength from diversity. In its role as a federation, AIP advances the success of its Member Societies by providing the means to pool, coordinate, and leverage their diverse expertise and contributions in pursuit of a shared goal of advancing the physical sciences in the research enterprise, in the economy, in education, and in society. In its role as an institute, AIP operates as a center of excellence using policy analysis, social science, and historical research to promote future progress in the physical sciences.
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