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Spaceward Bound Australia 2011: Expedition to the Pilbara Western Australia: The Dawn of Life

Spaceward Bound Australia (SBA) in collaboration with ‘NASA Spaceward Bound’ in July 2011 undertook a ‘Planetary and space science’ expedition, SBA 2011, to the Pilbara visiting locations at The “Dawn of Life” Nullagine, and Shark Bay. The theme of the expedition was to compare the recently discovered large conical stromatolites in Lake Untersee, Antarctica with the conical stromatolites in Shark Bay and the 3.45 billion year fossils in the Pilbara. The primary focus was on the 3.45 byr old fossils.

‘Spaceward Bound Australia’ is organized by the Mars Society Australia (MSA) with aims that are in alignment with NASA Spaceward Bound. NASA Spaceward Bound is an educational program organized at NASA Ames Research Centre in partnership with the Mars Society (US).

The focus of Spaceward Bound is to inspire and train the next generation of space explorers by ...

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Spaceward Bound Australia 2009: Expedition to Arkaroola and Sturts Stony Desert North of the Flinders Rangers.

The Mars Society Australia‟s Spaceward Bound Australia (SBA) in collaboration with "NASA Spaceward Bound‟ in July 2009 undertook a  Planetary and space science expedition, to Arkaroola, Marree and Reedy Springs in the South Australian desert. The theme of the expedition was The evolution of life in our solar system. Twenty seven planetary scientists, geologists, teachers and engineers from the US and Australia participated in the expedition.


The SBA 2009 expedition aim was in two parts:

  • The first, was to undertake field science supporting research into the evolution of life in our solar system; and,
  • The second, was to invite teachers and students from the US and Australia to participate and work undertaking practical field science with the scientists closely involved in recent space exploration missions to the Moon Mars and Titan.

Science work included:

  • Trialling Infrared Sensors;
  • Advancing Teacher "Hands On‟...
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Spaceward Bound New Zealand 2015

In January 2015, the New Zealand Astrobiology Initiative (NZAI) organised an engaging, 6-day expedition for Kiwi educators and researchers, introducing them to the wonders of the Taupo Volcanic Zone in the central North Island. Partnering with NASA and incorporating speakers from all around the globe, Spaceward Bound New Zealand 2015 exposed its 50 participants to astrobiology research through a series of hands-on field trips and promoted New Zealand as a world-class site for astrobiology research.

Spaceward Bound is an inquiry-based astrobiology and educational Moon-Mars analogue science expedition organised in New Zealand by NZAI and partners. Spaceward Bound originated at NASA Ames Research Center in 2006. The primary mission of Spaceward Bound is to train the next generation of spaceexplorers by teaming teachers...

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The search for life on Mars: An early Earth perspective

DAVID COOPER MEMORIAL LECTURE 2017

The search for life on Mars: An early Earth perspective

Professor Martin Van Kranendonk

November 13th, 6:45 pm for 7:00 pm start (8:30 pm finish)

Messel Theatre , Sydney Nanoscience Hub (SNH)

Physics Road, The University of Sydney

 

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-search-for-life-on-mars-an-early-earth-perspective-tickets-39463063084?aff=eac2

 

This event is part of the 17th

...
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Rotor Drones for Mars

by Dr Graham Mann

As in many terrestrial applications, there are good reasons to think that small, highly maneuvrable drones would be valuable to human explorers on Mars. They could be used for scouting difficult or dangerous terrain, aerial photography for EVA safety and maintenance inspection purposes, hoisting antenna wires, fast location of small science targets and rapidly transporting small tools, instruments, circuit boards or regolith samples. In 2014 MSA field trials of Mars astronaut-assistance robots, a small Phantom quadrotor performed as well or better than the ground robots in many tasks.

Very low atmospheric densities and temperatures as well as windblown fine dust make flight in the Martian atmosphere a severe challenge for rotorcraft. To provide sufficient lift, even allowing for one third the gravity of Earth, rotors need to be larger and turn much faster than their terrestrial counterparts. That puts a lot of stress on the rotors. Combined with poor...

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Mars Society Australia at the 17th Australian Space Research Conference

MSA is a partner in the 17th Australian Space Research Conference (ASRC) along with the National Space Society of Australia and the Australian Academy of Science.  This is Australia’s premier space conference covering Australian space science, engineering, policy, history, education, heritage, and outreach.  This year it is being held at the University of Sydney, November 13 – 15.  MSA will chair two streams, one on Mars and one of human factors in spaceflight, with  the annual David Cooper public lecture being held one evening, in honour of the late MSA president.  Member of MSA will be eligible for a deduction.  Members wishing to present are encouraged to do so.  In addition to being a great conference it is an ideal time to catch up with other MSA members.

Find out more about the conference here http://www.nssa.com.au/17asrc/

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MSA Welcomes New Website Content Managers

The Mars Society Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of two new volunteer content managers to assist with maintaining this website. 

Darryn Wong is a Brisbane based Mars enthusiast with a background in IT and administration. His interest in Mars started after reading the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson back in the early 2000s. He has recently joined MSA Facebook group.

Earl White is based in Oyster Bay, NSW and has a background in both business and IT.  He has recently completed a Master of Science in Astronomy at Swinburne University in Melbourne. 

"MSA relies on the work of its volunteer members to bring the story of Mars exploration to a wider audience" said MSA President Dr Jonathan Clarke.  "We hope the valued input of Darryn and Earl will result in MSA having a more dynamic online presence". 

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MSA to Support the Mars MEDIAN Mission

Mars Median Penetrator
The Mars MEDIAN (Methane Detection by In-situ Analysis with NanoLanders) Mission is aiming at Mars to be the first multi-probe extra-terrestrial network and it's looking for Methane. It is a joint UK, Australian project.

The mission has been devised by Robert Brand, a leading Australian space entrepreneur, aerospace engineer and innovator. At the age of 17, Robert was involved in support for Apollo 11 in Australia with the feeds from Honeysuckle Creek and the Parkes Radio Telescope. He supported almost every mission from Apollo 11 to STS-7 and played a minor support role in Shuttle flights right up to 1985. In that time...

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Free Public Lecture - Dr Eriita Jones - How can we find water on Mars (and why are we looking?)

Sunday 9th October 2016

Free Public Lecture by Dr Eriita Jones - Booking essential through Eventbrite.

Abstract: Any liquid water on present-day Mars is hidden from view within the Martian regolith, but we can still find clues to where it is, and where it existed in the past.  Come along to this talk to discover why there is so much interest in finding past and present liquid water environments on Mars, whether Mars could really support life, and how learning about Mars can teach us about Earth.

Bio: Eriita Jones completed a Bachelor of Philosophy (Science) with Honours at the Australian National University in 2007 with the title of “ Identifying targets within the potential biosphere of Mars through study of gullies and rampart craters.  of Science” and a PhD at the same university in 2012.  Her PhD thesis was titled “Two...

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Public Lecture by Dr James Waldie 28th September

"FROM THE OUTBACK TO THE SPACE STATION: DEVELOPING REVOLUTIONARY SPACE SUITS WITH NASA AND ESA"

Dr James Waldie will present this year's David Cooper Memorial Lecture on Wednesday 28th September at RMIT at 6:30pm.  The event is being held in conjunction with the National Space Society of Ausralia as part of the broader program of the Australian Space Research Conference.  This public lecture is free, athough registration is essential  through Eventbrite.

ABSTRACT

The next generation of spacesuits for use inside and outside the spacecraft may be based on form-fitting elastic skinsuits, and Australia has prominence at many levels.  Gas-pressurised spacesuits have created history by enabling humans to walk in space and across the surface of the moon.  Despite being effective as a life support system, the suits are a severe hindrance to astronaut function and capability.  They are rigid, heavy, bulky, costly, leaky, and require...

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