Return to Home
New Epoch Productions presents:
Dr. Jack Bacon:
Jack Bacon Ph.D., P.Eng.
Dr. Jack Bacon's lectures have captivated audiences in twenty-six countries on six continents on topics concerning technology and the factors that shape human society. He has appeared in radio and television broadcasts around the world. He has twice been recognized with NASA’s Outstanding Speaker Award. His 32-year career at NASA and prior experience in a wide range of high-tech efforts brings expert, first-hand experience in cutting-edge technologies across the globe.
An engineer, futurist and technological historian, Jack has written three popular books entitled "My Grandfathers' Clock," "My Stepdaughter's Watch," and “The Parallel Bang” with many thousands of copies sold of each. A fourth: “Killer Apps for the Green Global Village” is in the works. He was a major contributing expert and author to NASA’s official commemoration of the Space Shuttle program: “Wings in Orbit,” and to the IAASS international safety handbook: “Safety Design for Space Operations.” He is the author or co-author of many journal articles documenting his decades of work in technological advancements.
Jack was the International Space Station's lead systems integrator of the jointly-built spacecraft that forms the central bridge and adapter between all US and Russian technologies of the most complex technical project in human history. This landmark space module was built in Moscow by American and Russian engineers and launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in November 1998. Subsequently he assumed many roles in the operations and safe integration of all international partners' contributions to the ISS, and then moved into global negotiations of common space safety practices across all space-faring nations and agencies. For over a decade he has applied what he has learned about building a safe, healthy space environment to his leadership of several environment and infrastructure projects in Rwanda and in Kenya through Engineers without Borders.
A graduate of Caltech (B.S. '76) and of the University of Rochester (Ph.D. '84) his extensive career includes roles in the development of many cutting edge technologies, including controlled thermonuclear fusion, lasers & optics, the development of the electronic office, factory automation, and the globalization of business. He pioneered the deployment of several artificial intelligence systems, learning his craft at the famed Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. At NASA he played several pivotal roles in the cooperative growth of the world's space programs. He now applies all of that background to challenges in the developing world.
Among his numerous awards, he is a recipient of NASA’s Silver Achievement, Exceptional Achievement, and Exceptional Service Medals, a JSC Director’s Special Commendation, and the coveted Silver Snoopy award: the only medallion to fly in space, earned by less than 1% of all US space workers. Jack is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International: that organization's highest recognition.
Parallel to his technological development roles, at various points in his career has been a distinguished lecturer of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a Fellow and the Technical Director of the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS), a Fellow of the Explorers' Club, and an Adjunct Professor of Engineering at the University of Rochester. He was a founding member of the boards of directors of three academic groups, including the Science National Honor Society (www.ScienceNHS.org). He routinely advises numerous academic programs and institutions, and he is a champion of education throughout the world.
When he's not on the road, Jack cherishes his time in the redwoods of northern California together with Kathleen: his lifelong love for over 50 years.