{"id":110266,"date":"2026-08-20T13:51:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T13:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/?p=110266"},"modified":"2026-09-01T12:52:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T12:52:12","slug":"uris-fall-2026-honors-colloquium-will-go-on-an-interstellar-exploration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/uris-fall-2026-honors-colloquium-will-go-on-an-interstellar-exploration\/","title":{"rendered":"URI\u2019s Fall 2026 Honors Colloquium will go on an \u2018Interstellar Exploration\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 Aug. 20, 2026 \u2013 From black holes and distant exoplanets to gravitational waves rippling through the universe, and aspiring to travel to Mars and back to the moon, the cosmos teems with mysteries that both inspire awe and demand answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several national space and astrophysics experts\u2014including some with ties to NASA\u2014will visit the University of Rhode Island this fall to examine the science of outer space for the URI Honors Program\u2019s 63rd<\/sup> annual Honors Colloquium, titled \u201cInterstellar Exploration: Journey Beyond Your Limits<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Les Johnson, physicist, author, CEO of Infinite Frontiers Consulting, and former chief technologist at the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, will hold the 2026 URI Honors Colloquium\u2019s first lecture, titled \u201cRealistic Interstellar Travel \u2013 The challenges of distance, time, and known physics,\u201d on Sept. 15. (Courtesy Les Johnson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Twelve speakers in this year\u2019s Honors Colloquium will step beyond the safe familiar horizon of our planet to explore what awaits in space. From ethics, human rights and our future in space being tied together, to space and the law, to understanding how to achieve the impossible, and discussing realistic interstellar travel, this series will inspire the public to take their fascination of outer space to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s series will begin Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 5:30 p.m.<\/strong>, with Les Johnson<\/strong>, physicist, author, CEO of Infinite Frontiers Consulting, and former chief technologist at the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. Johnson\u2019s talk will be how realistic interstellar travel is, and the challenges of distance, time and known physics related to such travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While with NASA, Johnson helped develop next-generational space technologies, from advanced space propulsion and power to human life-support systems. He also served as principal investigator for spaceflight demonstrations of solar sails, tethers and other technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with penning several science fiction books, Johnson is the co-editor of a three-volume technical monograph series detailing complex technical and social problems associated with future interstellar travel. His popular science book \u201cA Traveler\u2019s Guide to the Stars\u201d is available in seven languages. Johnson is also a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, the British Interplanetary Society, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and MENSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honors Colloquium lectures will be held Tuesdays through Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road, on the Kingston Campus. The lectures are free and open to the public\u2014registration is required to attend the lectures<\/a>. All lectures will be livestreamed and registration is required to receive stream links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s program is coordinated by URI Department of Physics<\/a> Chair Leonard Kahn<\/a>, and physics professors Douglas Gobeille<\/a> and Robert Coyne<\/a>. Kahn\u2019s research has spanned several areas, including surface physics, superconductivity, hydrogen in metals, and nonlinear optics and photonics. Both Coyne and Gobeille helped develop URI\u2019s astrophysics program, which prioritizes student engagement and focuses strictly on research work into black holes, gravitational waves, multi-messenger astronomy and the evolution of quasars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kahn says the idea of space travel has always captivated the public, whether it\u2019s landing rovers on Mars or NASA\u2019s recent Artemis II mission of flying by the moon for the first time since 1972\u2014or even science fiction in pop culture. He hopes this year\u2019s colloquium will not only help the public better understand the importance of traveling to outer space, but also allow the public to have a say on the matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThrough this colloquium series, we aim to spark the public\u2019s imagination and investigate the vast opportunities that space exploration presents,\u201d Kahn said. \u201cOur speakers will offer insights into humanity\u2019s quest to understand what lies beyond Earth and show how everyday citizens can be part of that effort. Fostering an informed and engaged public is, after all, the mission of the Honors Colloquium.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colloquium rundown<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the Sept. 15 kick-off, the series will delve into additional interstellar exploration topics. Lecturers scheduled to speak are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n