NASA Veteran Brian Muirhead to Share Bold Vision for Mars Exploration at the Next Edition of the 2025 Malibu Library Speaker Series, August 12
The City of Malibu and LA County Library are proud to welcome Brian Muirhead, Chief Architect of NASA’s Mars Sample Return campaign, as the next featured guest in the 2025 Malibu Library Speaker Series. The free event takes place on Tuesday, August 12, at 7:00 PM at Malibu City Hall, and will include a Q&A with the speaker.
“Brian Muirhead’s work represents some of the most ambitious and inspiring efforts in human space exploration,” said Mayor Marianne Riggins. “Malibu is honored to host a leader whose vision and innovation have helped shape the future of science and technology. I know our community will be captivated by his stories and insights into the mysteries of Mars and beyond.”
Brian Muirhead has been a pioneer in aerospace engineering and innovation for over four decades. As Chief Architect of NASA’s Mars Sample Return campaign at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), he is developing technologies for one of the most challenging missions in NASA history—bringing samples back from the surface of Mars for the first time.
Previously, Muirhead led the team that developed the Mars Pathfinder, which successfully landed on Mars to worldwide acclaim on July 4, 1997. He served as Chief Engineer of JPL and was a key contributor to the Mars Science Laboratory and its groundbreaking “Sky Crane” landing system that delivered the Curiosity rover to the Martian surface. He also served as Chief Architect of NASA’s Constellation Program, which aimed to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and prepare crewed missions to Mars.
Muirhead is the recipient of multiple NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals and is the author of two books: “Going to Mars” and “High Velocity Leadership.” Learn more about Muirhead at: www.NASA.gov/ames-ocs/ocs-seminars/Brian-Muirhead.
Malibu City Hall is located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. RSVPs are required. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.MalibuCity.org/LibrarySpeakers.
About the Series
Launched in 2013, the Malibu Library Speaker Series is a program in partnership with the Malibu Library, part of LA County Library, and the City of Malibu. It features experts, authors, and other notable figures discussing a wide range of subjects, including the entertainment industry, literature, science, motivation, the arts, education, sports, travel, food, and the environment.