What if we could safeguard Earth’s incredible biodiversity, not just for today, but for the future? Thanks to advancements in cryogenics, we might be able to store life on the Moon, preserving plants, animals, and fungi as a backup—just in case, or even to help start life on other worlds. Jekan Thanga has a background in aerospace engineering from the University of Toronto. At MDA Space Missions, he worked on Canadarm, Canadarm 2, and the DARPA Orbital Express missions. Jekan obtained his Ph.D. in space robotics at the UTIAS and did his postdoc at MIT's Field and Space Robotics Laboratory (FSRL). Jekan Thanga is an Associate Professor and heads the Space and Terrestrial Robotic Exploration (SpaceTREx) Laboratory at the University of Arizona. Jekan and his students have co-authored more than 200 technical publications and were winners of the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award in 2016 for proposing the SunCube FemtoSat. His team won a Best Paper Presentation Award at AMOS 2019 for the Early Warning Constellation to Detect Incoming Meteor Threats. In 2024, he co-authored a Best Paper on using inflatable rovers to explore lunar and Martian lava tubes at the Earth and Space Conference. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 5:03Creating a Safer Digital World | Amaline Al Benoo | TEDxKids@ElCajonCyberbullying affects millions of teens every day—and it’s not just the person being targeted who feels the impact. In this powerful TEDx talk, Amalinie Al Benoo shares her personal experience with hurtful online comments and reveals how we can all play a role in creating a safer, kinder digital world. With practical tips and inspiring research, she challenges us to be responsible digital citizens and to use social media as a force for connection instead of harm.This student developed their talk as part of the TED-Ed Student Talk Program in Cajon Valley Union School District. The purpose of TEDxKidsElCajon is to help develop and amplify student voices in our community to empower our youth by creating space for them to share their ideas, bringing awareness to their experiences, and advocating their perspectives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.tedxkidselcajon.com and https://www.ted.com/tedx Amaline is a 5th grade student in Cajon Valley Union School District. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 3:57Importance of Arts in Education | Colt Lilley | TEDxKids@ElCajonFrom traditional Mexican dances to performing in musicals, 4th grader Colt Lilley has experienced firsthand how the arts can boost physical health, reduce stress, and strengthen communication skills. In this inspiring TEDx talk, Colt shares research and personal stories to show why every student (especially in low-income communities) should have access to the arts in school. His message is clear: the arts don’t just make better students, they help create better adults.This student developed their talk as part of the TED-Ed Student Talk Program in Cajon Valley Union School District. The purpose of TEDxKidsElCajon is to help develop and amplify student voices in our community to empower our youth by creating space for them to share their ideas, bringing awareness to their experiences, and advocating their perspectives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.tedxkidselcajon.com and https://www.ted.com/tedx Colt is a 4th grade student in Cajon Valley Union School District. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
