Ode to the Amazing Atom
January 7, 2019
Space pioneer Henry Richter (PhD Chemistry, Caltech), explores the designed intricacies of the building blocks of the universe.
Dr. Henry Richter was born in Long Beach, California, and served a short tour of duty in the U.S. Navy in World War II. From there he received a BS and PhD (Chemistry, Physics, and Electrical Engineering) from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena California. Then he went to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which became part of NASA. While there he headed up the development of the free worlds first earth satellite, Explorer I. He then oversaw the scientific instrumentation for the Ranger, Mariner, and Surveyor Programs. From JPL, he went to Electro-Optical Systems becoming a Vice President and Technical Director. Next was a staff position with UCLA as Development Manager of the Mountain Park Research Campus. He then owned an electronics manufacturing business and afterwards became the Communications Engineer for the L.A. County Sheriffs Department. Since 1977, he has been a communications consultant to Public Safety organizations. He is a life member of APCO, the IEEE, and the American Chemical Society. VIEW HEADLINES ONLY
The Frantic Determination of Some Scientists to Discover Life Elsewhere
July 6, 2018
We often hear exciting news about 'habitable planets' that might have life, or at least the 'building blocks of life.' Are these reports based on sound thinking about the requirements?
Rocket Scientist Recalls Sputnik 60 Years Ago
October 7, 2017
Dr Henry Richter, a writer for CEH and NASA VIP, shares his recollections of the space race that began in earnest with Sputnik 60 years ago.
Facing Reality About Life on Other Planets, 6: Chemistry and Probability
September 18, 2017
In this final segment about habitability of exoplanets, Dr Henry Richter looks at chemistry and probability.
Facing Reality About Life on Other Planets, 5: Water and Rock
September 12, 2017
by Dr Henry Richter There is much interest in searching for life elsewhere in the Universe. In previous articles I talked about the many criteria describing conditions and circumstances required to establish and maintain life on a planet. I talked about the importance of the location of the planet in its solar system. The location […]
Facing Reality About Life on Other Planets: Geophysics
September 5, 2017
by Dr Henry Richter This is a continuation of my discussion on the requirements to allow life to exist on a planet elsewhere in the universe. My discussion moved from our position in the galaxy, our position in the solar system, and then focused on the earth, looking at the influence of our moon, our […]
Facing Reality About Life on Other Planets: Moon, Atmosphere, and Mass
August 29, 2017
This is part 3 of Dr Henry Richter's discussion on the requirements for life to exist on a planet elsewhere in the universe.
Habitability Requires the Right Kind of Star
August 19, 2017
This is a continuation of my discussion on the requirements to allow life to exist on a planet elsewhere in the universe.
Explorer 1 Pioneer Corrects Mistakes in Space.com Article
August 15, 2017
Dr Henry Richter, instrument manager for the Explorer 1 mission (1958), corrects some mistakes about the mission in an article published at Space.com
Facing Reality About Life on Other Planets
August 11, 2017
by Dr Henry Richter For a number of years I have been amused to watch many in the scientific community conduct a frantic campaign to identify life elsewhere in the universe. There has been a plethora of articles and significant dollars dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial life, particularly intelligent life. In recent times several […]
Earth’s Magnetic Field Protects Us from Solar Sneezes
July 31, 2017
By capturing solar 'sneezes' of high-energy charged particles, the Van Allen Belts provide a prime example of how the earth and its space environment are designed to allow and protect life.