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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

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/

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...

"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...