• Understand the physical forces that make tethered lift possible
• Contrast challenges of chemical reaction lift with tethered lift
• Evaluate challenges to the construction of a space elevator
• Create scenarios that illustrate strengths and challenges of different lift systems
• Analyze extraterrestrial habitat requirements to determine logistical needs
• Compare trade-offs of performance, safety, and size in climber design
• Compare capacity, cost, and environmental impacts of the two lift architectures
• Apply tether strength requirements to potential materials
• Develop solutions to scenario based problems on elements of the space elevator
• Create a group presentation illustrating logistical support for future space activities

Dr. Arnold is the Director of Education and Outreach for the International Space Elevator Consortium. He is also a National Space Society Space Ambassador. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer, Associate Dean, and Dean of the Defense Security Cooperation University. He is a retired Air Force Colonel with 23 years of service. In that capacity he served as a NATO officer, a CENTCOM advisor in Saudi Arabia, and on the initial staff of AFRICOM during their operational standup. Dr. Arnold was on faculty at the National Defense University (NDU), and programmed Space, Cyber, ISR, RPA, and C2 units as the Global Vigilance Panel Chair at Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters (A8V). He is a Joint Qualified Officer with academic titles as Senior Lecturer in Security Cooperation Management and Assistant Professor of Joint Military Operations. Dr. Arnold was previously assigned to USMTM in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was stationed in Germany twice – with AFRICOM in Stuttgart and NATO AWACS in Geilenkirchen. Dr. Arnold has taught Senior Executives, Diplomats, Saudi aviators, NATO military professionals, and worked extensively with allies in a variety of operational contexts during conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans. Dr. Arnold was also involved with security cooperation programs as a master navigator in both C-130 and AWACS aircraft. His educational credentials stem from time as faculty at NDU’s Joint Forces Staff College, USAF Air University’s Air Command and Staff College and the Defense Security Cooperation University.

Dr. Arnold earned the Doctor of Education degree specializing in Performance Improvement Leadership and also holds a Masters of Education focusing on Adult and Higher Education. He has certificates from University of Wisconsin on Distance Education and in College Teaching from Tidewater Consortium. He has been published in the Foreign Affairs Officer (FAO) Journal. He is a graduate of Air War College, SHAPE’s NATO Staff Officer School, and the Space Orientation Course.