Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President and Rosh Yeshiva | Yeshiva University
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President and Rosh Yeshiva | Yeshiva University
On September 18, Yeshiva University Math Professor Dr. Edward Belbruno will be featured in an art exhibition at the European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris, France. This marks the first time an art exhibition has been hosted at ESA’s two major centers, having previously been displayed at ESA’s Operations Center (ESOC) in Germany.
Dr. Belbruno's paintings were initially exhibited at ESOC Germany in late 2023 and subsequently shown at LAB3 gallery in Darmstadt, Germany. The Paris show will feature 12 of his works and run until early 2025. The opening will be attended by ESA Director General Dr. Josef Aschbacher and ESA Operations Director Rolf Densing among other staff and guests.
"Stars Over Islands On Another World"
Dr. Belbruno began painting with oils at age seven and later pursued a doctorate in mathematics from NYU’s Courant Institute in 1980, leading him into aerospace engineering and astrodynamics. He gained experience working for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where he formulated the “Ballistic Lunar Capture” theory using advanced chaos theory concepts.
The theory posits that spacecraft can travel more slowly into space to "lock into" lunar orbit without braking, using less fuel than traditional methods—a significant cost-saving measure for NASA.
To solve the mathematical representation of this trajectory, Dr. Belbruno employed his artistic talent: "Using a painting for such an important discovery is unique in the history of science," he explained. His painting “Low Fuel Route to the Moon,” which inspired this interior ballistic capture transfer, was instrumental in discovering a new route from Earth to the Moon used for ESA's SMART-1 mission in 2004.
“My painting helped me come up with the exact calculations for a ballistic capture transfer for the first time ever," said Dr. Belbruno. He later discovered a shorter version known as 'exterior ballistic capture transfer,' now widely used by various space missions due to its sustainability.
Dr. Belbruno’s revolutionary artwork will be on permanent display at ESOC after concluding its run in Paris early next year. The exhibition also includes one of his favorite paintings, “Chaos Trajectory to the Moon,” which combines mathematical chaos theory with abstract art.
“I love that painting,” stated Dr. Belbruno, noting its unique fusion of science and art: "My paintings display multiple styles, from realistic to abstract."
His students at Yeshiva University find inspiration in his dual pursuits: “They love it," he said. "One of my students is working on a master’s thesis to determine if there is chaos theory in the brush strokes of paintings."
The exhibition titled “Chaos, Other Worlds and the Universe” will remain on display until early 2025 and can be viewed online at www.edbelbruno.com/esahq-show-paris
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