How the Global Positioning System transformed life on earth for 8 billion people and 195 nation states.
SPEAKER
Dr. Bradford Parkinson
Edward C. Wells Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics (Recalled), Stanford University
Co-Director, Stanford Center for Position, Navigation, and Time
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Overview
GPS, originally Navstar GPS, is a satellite-based radio navigation system owned by the United States Space Force. Beyond helping you in your car each day, GPS provides critical positioning capabilities to military, civil, and commercial users around the world. In many surprising ways, GPS has transformed life on our planet.
Our guest, Dr. Bradford Parkinson, is a world renowned American engineer and inventor widely known as the “Father of GPS.” He was the Chief Architect for GPS and led the original advocacy for the system in 1973 as an Air Force Colonel. He went on to develop and lead many innovative applications of GPS. In his remarks he will discuss the development of the Global Positioning System and its international applications.
Bradford Parkinson is Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Emeritus) in the School of Engineering, Stanford University. Before joining the Stanford faculty, he served twenty-one years in the Air Force, from 1957 to 1978, where he logged 160 hours of combat missions in Southeast Asia, and received the Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citatio. Among his many awards is the Draper Prize of the National Academy of Engineering; one of three prizes that constitute the “Nobel Prizes of Engineering.” Parkinson earned his PhD. in Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University. He has been selected as a Stanford Engineering Hero and as a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Professor Parkinson was the Director & Co-Principal Investigator of the Stanford Relativity Program, Gravity Probe B, which validated Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.
Date and Times
- Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- 11:30 AM: Registration
- 12:00 PM: Luncheon
- 12:45 PM: Speaker
Menu
- Salad: Caesar Salad – Romaine, Kale, Grape Tomatoes, Brioche Croutons with Shaved Parmesan & Lemon-Caesar Dressing
- Bread & Butter
- Entree: Pan-Seared Salmon with a Citrus Beurre-Blanc, Sweet Pea Risotto Beet Medley, Blistered Tomato Relish
- Vegetarian Alternative: Mushroom Ravioli with Gilroy Garlic Cream Sauce, Artichoke Ratatouille, Tomato-Basil Stew
- Dessert: Pineapple-Carrot Walnut Cake
Cost
- $55 for World Affairs Council members
- $65 for Guests
Registration
If you encounter difficulties with our online registration please email info@wacmb.org to reserve a spot by the registration deadline.
A limited number of seats for auditors (at no charge) will be available.
Please notify the WACMB office no later than Tuesday, November 12th to
www.wacmb.org or tel 831-643-1855. Auditors will be allowed entry at 12:40 pm.
Registration is now closed.
Location
The Ferrantes Room
Monterey Marriott
350 Calle Principal
Monterey, CA, 93940