The technical challenges faced by an aerospace company that plans to develop space hotels and transport patrons to those facilities will be the topic of a seminar at UNLV on Oct. 21. The public is invited to attend this free event sponsored by the mechanical engineering department. Refreshments will be served. Bigelow Aerospace has announced plans to develop space hotels and cruise ships to them. The ships could carry as many as 100 passengers and 50 crew members.
Plans call for a zerogravity experience at the hub of the rotating spacecraft.
Bennett's presentation will include some of the technical details of the plan. A graduate of the University of Illinois in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, Bennett has more than 25 years of experience in aerospace engineering and management. During two decades at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, he led and managed organizations in astronaut and flight controller training, space shuttle simulation, and development and operation of the International Space Station. His commercial aerospace work includes experience in aircraft exploratory design and military transport developments. He also served as director of training for the flight controls department at the Boeing Commercial Airplane Company.