For centuries, human beings have pondered “Are We Alone?” Medieval scholars speculated that other worlds must exist and that some would harbor other forms of life. In our time, advances in science and technology have brought us to the threshold of finding an answer to this timeless question. In the last few decades NASA/JPL (National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Jet Propulsion Laboratory) had accomplished numerous missions on discovering our solar systems including Mars with similar past history to our planet Earth.

Over the next decades NASA/JPL is embarking on bold series of missions in our planet and beyond to find and characterize new worlds. The new instrument will be the most sensitive instruments ever built, capable of further discovering and reaching beyond the bounds of our own solar system. Analyzing the atmospheres of these distant worlds, looking for carbon dioxide, water, and ozone.  The substantial presence of all three gasses would suggest that life is present. Such a discovery would at last will provide convincing evidence that we are not alone.  Can we find another Earth? This presentation will provide and overview of past/future missions by NASA/JPL.
 

Dr. Reza Ghaffarian has been involved with NASA’s JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) for 15 years, leading research and development activities as well as being a consultant to JPL missions including Mars Exploration Rovers (MER).  He was the recipient of NASA Exception Service Medal for outstanding leadership, industrial partnering, and expertise in electronic packaging technologies.  He has authored more than 100 technical papers, co-editor of a CSP book, 4 book chapters, three guidelines, and numerous patentable innovations.  He serves as technical advisor/Committee to Microelectronics Journal, SMTA, IMAPS, IEEE IEMT/CPMT, and IPC.  He received his M.S. in 1979, Engineering Degree in 1980, and Ph.D. in 1982 in engineering from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

For his recent publication please refer to NASA NEPP website