Professor Madhu Thangavelu

Madhu Thangavelu conducts the ASTE527 graduate Space Exploration Architectures Concept Synthesis Studio in the Department of Astronautical Engineering within the Viterbi School of Engineering, and he is also a graduate thesis adviser in the School of Architecture at USC. He holds degrees in both engineering and architecture and has contributed extensively to concepts in space architecture, especially dealing with extraterrestrial development. He is the author or co-author of over 70 technical papers in space architecture, as well as numerous articles in space related trade journals and magazines dealing with space stations, lunar base design and human factors. He is a co-author of the book The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Settlement(1999) published by John Wiley and Sons and second edition by Springer/Praxis in 2007. He is the invited author of the chapter "Living on the Moon" in the Encyclopedia of Aerospace Engineering, a major reference work published by John Wiley and Sons in 2010 and the on-line second edition updated in 2012. He is a member of the USC team that won the consecutive NASA NIAC Phase I award in 2011 and Phase II award in 2012 for advancing robotic building technologies for extraterrestrial construction. Madhu is an alumnus of the inaugural session of the International Space University at MIT where he proposed the MALEO concept for lunar landers and is on the faculty of the International Space University, an international organization that offers advanced interdisciplinary, intercultural and international training for promising leaders and space professionals. He is a former AIAA officer, having served as Vice Chair for Education in the Los Angeles section. Mr.Thangavelu’s concepts have been reviewed and appreciated by NASA, the National Research Council, the National Space Council(Bush Sr. Administration),and his work has been presented before the National Academy of Sciences.

Mr. Thangavelu’s concept creation work was greatly appreciated for proposing ideas that pointed to the “leading-edge sensor concept” for return to flight of the space shuttle fleet. Madhu is a consultant to NASA, the space and entertainment industry.

He is on the advisory board of the Moon Society and the editorial board of the Journal of Space Philosophy. Madhu is a strong advocate for articulating the philosophy of space:

Scientists and Engineers(in particular) have a tendency to get lost in the tools and toys they make, though some of us do arrive at philosophy for the meaning of what we do and why, via the long route of experience. By then, alas, for the most part, our life’s work is done. It is a good idea to set us all on a solid foundation in space philosophy, so we can all have a steady handle on our works, as nature reveals her secrets… slowly, ever so slowly, but surely…

Madhu’s latest projects may be found at denecs.usc.edu/hosted/ASTE/527_20111.

Broadcast 2024 (Special Edition)

Guest: Dr. Madhu Thangavelu. Topics: space architecture visionary design, Human Spaceflight (HSF) to Mars, radiation, much more. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use.

Broadcast 1901 (Special Edition)

Guests: Dr. Madhu Thangavelu, Jake Dodd. Topics: This program discusses Jake's concept of placing a nuclear fuel plant in space in support of nuclear propulsion/space needs. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use.

Broadcast 1883 (Special Edition)

Guests: Dr. Madhu Thangavelu, Perry Edmundson. Topic: The Cosmic Mariner space cruise ship concept developed by Perry Edmundson. You are invited to comment, ask questions, and discuss the Space Show program/guest(s) on the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments, questions, and any discussion must be relevant and applicable to Space Show programming.

Broadcast 1796 (Special Edition)

Guests: Dr. Madhu Thangalevu, Frankie Sharpe. Topics: USC Moon Studio space & architectural project planning and design. You are invited to comment, ask questions, and discuss the Space Show program/guest(s) on the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments, questions, and any discussion must be relevant and applicable to Space Show programming.

Broadcast 1359 (Special Edition)

Guest: Dr. Madhu Thangavelu. Topics: USC Astronautics, class team projects for the ISS, Obama space policy, X37B and NEO deterrence. During our first segment, Dr. Thangavelu started our discussion by talking about the reorganization of the USD Division of Astronautical Engineering. To learn more, please visit http://astronautics.usc.edu. He then described his most recent team project class, the Concept Synthesis Studio.

Broadcast 1110 (Special Edition)

Guest: Dr. Madhu Thangavelu. Key Topics: Altair, Cislunar system, CEV, NASA, teleoperations, time delay, ISRU, education, medical problems. Dr. Madhu Thangavelu returned to The Space Show to discuss the creative problem-solving evidenced by his recent December 2008 USC class, "Return to the Moon: Looking Glass 204 Team Project." Dr. Thangavelu explained the focus of the class and then went through some of the student team solutions to problems we face in returning to the Moon.

Broadcast 808 (Special Edition)

Dr. David Schrunk and Dr. Madhu Thangavelu were our guests for this program regarding their book, "The Moon: Resources, Future, Development and Settlement," published by Springer/Praxis 2007. This book is available at Amazon.com and other book stores. During or program, both our guests fielded many questions regarding lunar development and why we should be doing it. They even received questions about environmental protection on the Moon and raised the concern of lunar development damaging the Moon's environment.

Broadcast 737 (Special Edition)

Professor Madhu Thangavelu was our returning guest today for this Space Show program. We started our discussion with Dr. Thangavelu with a frank look at the need for a space vision, the VSE in particular, and many components of the need for a space vision. We talked about this across borders, different age groups and then we started discussing it among students and younger Americans. Madhu shared his perspective with us regarding both space oriented and non-space students he works with at USC.

Broadcast 469 (Special Edition)

Dr. Madhu Thangavelu returned as guest for this Space Show program. We began our discussion with Dr. Thangavelu in-depth analysis of the proposal to send people back to the Moon and the ESAS Report. Our guest outline both the good and the bad, the most important and what has been omitted in the RTM discussion. He especially focused on what to do once we get back to the Moon. We also discussed his views on space tourism and you will find his comments on suborbital and orbital tourism to be illuminating and interesting. We discussed the architecture being planned for RTM and much more.

Broadcast 122 (Special Edition)

Professor Madhu Thangavelu is with the Department Of Aerospace Engineering & School of Architecture at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. This interview focuses on why we go into space, space architecture, engineering, and the differences between the two disciplines, plus how the two disciplines come together to make space possible. We also discuss humanity's spiritual presence in space, developing and returning to the Moon, along with a humans to Mars mission. We discuss space access, the Columbia and the entire space shuttle system. Dr.