MSA Branches

If you are enthusiastic about human space activities and exploration, especially Mars, join the Mars Society Australia and participate in our highly motivating events. Contact the MSA Secretary for more details.

WHAT:  Are you interested in space exploration? Dream of a future amongst the stars? Our first step is Mars. 

Exploration, research and development, the latest discoveries, issues and philosophy which may impact on exploration of Mars.

A warm welcome is extended to everyone interested in Mars, space exploration and the space industry.  Feel free to join us after the presentation. 

We usually order a meal for those who want, and share the cost/ person, e.g. share takeaway pizzas.

WHERE: Nova Systems, Level 3/169 Pirie Street Adelaide, SA  5000 (corner of Hindmarsh Square, in the ‘salmon pink’ Channel 9 building) Free street parking from 06:00pm 

WHEN:  Arrive 06:00PM to 06:15PM  Access is controlled. Please arrive prior to the start time if possible 

EVENT 6:15PM to 8:15PM 

If you require further information, contact Marcia 0481 093 877

RSVP is not usually essential but is appreciated for planning purposes 

OUR NEXT EVENT'

Sunday 3rd November 6pm  start AT MAWSON LECTURE THEATRE University of Adelaide North Terrace Campus Frre live lecture

Jayden Squire ' Gosses Bluff revisited: Extinctions and impacts with a link to mars." 

The Gosses Bluff impact structure is located in the West Amadeus Basin and is one of the largest impact structures in Australia. Jayden will explore details about his fieldwork at the site, sample collection and the techniques used to date an impact structure. He will discuss how the impact might have impacted life and biodiversity in the early Cretaceous and late Jurassic. This will serve as both a geotourism highlight experience and a rundown on the latest scientific techniques that help us understand the formation of impact structures.

Sunday 2nd June 2024 at 6pm for 6:15 pm start-  Free LIVE lecture - Ian Dewey, "Sharks from Space'

ESpy Ocean uses a rapid, AI driven, anomaly detection algorithm to analyse satellite images to detect dark vessels, submerged and semi submerged vessels and pelagic fish schools. ESpy has successfully stepped sideways into behavioural prediction (finding the anomaly in behaviour) and demonstrated 90% confidence in predicting spatial movement.

Ian will be talking about the use of satellite data in behavioural prediction as well as the development of AI in the area of anomaly detection.

Sunday 5th May 2024 at 6pm for 6:15 pm start- at Nova Systems - Free live online lecture with Q&A, Dr Elyse Allender 'ExoMars Rover Mission'

Dr Allender will provide a short background on the ExoMars rover mission and her previous work on the Panoramic Camera (PanCam) science team.

Sunday 3rd March 2024 at 6pm - Free live event - Visit to the Australian Space Discovery Centre with Amber

The Australian Space Discovery Centre was established in May 2021 forming an integral part of the Australian Space Agency’s vision to transforming Australia’s role in space and to grow the Australian space sector by adding 20,000 additional jobs and tripling the size of the space sector GDP by 2030. With a gallery full of interactive exhibits, a careers wall featuring Australian stories and Australia’s first publicly viewable Mission Control Centre, come along to the Australian Space Discovery Centre and learn about how the Agency is shaping the future of space in Australia.

Booking is required on this link https://www.trybooking.com/CPSNH Feel free to contact me with any queries on 0481 093 093 or sa@marssociety.org.au.

Sunday February 4th 2024 6:00pm on for 6:15 pm start - Free LIVE lecture -  Ryan Gharazeddine, 'Surveillance of Space'
Over the last 60 years, the US military has led the efforts in detecting, cataloguing, and maintaining the outmost surveillance of man-made objects in space. At present, the number of resident objects in space is 40,000 and continues to grow rapidly. Maintaining that level of situational awareness is not an easy endeavour. Thousands of people and equipment scattered around the world work around clock to achieve this task. In this presentation, Ryan will explain how the Space Surveillance Network works, what type of sensors it uses and what role the telescope plays. Finally, Ryan will touch on what Australia is bringing to the table with our most recent acquisition and the level it will support the global effort.
 

Sunday December 10th 2023 6:00pm on for 6:15 pm start - End of year Event - optional Space Themed meal - Free LIVE lecture-  Dr Victor Gostin, "MARS - What we know and what we are still to discover"

With so many orbiters and several great landers, scientists have made significant progress in understanding the general geophysical and topographic character of Mars. However, many critical questions remain, including that of the possible origin of life, and also its transfer to early Earth.

Booking to attend is essential - Spaced Themed meal is optional (please order)

o   Meal cost: $15 per person to cover meal 
o   If you prefer vegetarian, vegan or have special dietary requirements please do let me know 
o  BYO Some soft drinks will be available. You are welcome to bring your own  

Savoury will be served  prior to the lecture, and sweet treats after

A warm welcome extended to anyone interested in Mars/ space exploration and habitation

Sunday November 5th 2023 6:00pm on for 6:15 pm start - Dave Neudegg - "Space environment effects on spacecraft"
The space environment is relatively hostile for spacecraft, particularly their electronics. This talk will highlight the hazards due to energetic particle radiation from the Sun and radiation belts, and electrostatic discharge. We'll also look at the Solar and geomagnetic disturbances that cause these hazards, and mitigation techniques.

There are no events booked for October 2023.

Sunday September 10th 2023 5:45pm for 6:00pm start, Industry Visit to REDARC Electronics 23 Brodie Road, Lonsdale SA 5160

Host: Peter Van Gemert, Test and Validation Manager, REDARC Electronics

Entry from 5:45pm for 6:00pm start. We appreciate if you can arrive prior to the start time as access and onsite parking is controlled. 
Drive through the gates to park. If you do arrive later you can call me on 0481 093 877 to gain entry. 
REDARC Group is a proudly 100% Australian privately owned business. 
Established in a garage in 1979 we’ve grown year on year from 8 staff in 1997 to having over 350 employees in 2023. 
Head office in Lonsdale South Australia, offices in Mulgrave, Melbourne, Williamtown, Newcastle.
Staff in Italy, warehousing and distributors in Poland, Sales in NZ, and a growing team in the USA.

REDARC is well known We build things tough. We enable people to do things outside of their comfort zone where they need peace of mind that their equipment won’t let them down.
REDARC Defence & Space was established in 2019 to meet the needs of our Defence force and bring the same REDARC reliability and engineered toughness to these markets.

REDARC regularly tests new equipment for the Defence and Space industry including small satellites but also supporting equipment on the ground.
We are the only entity that offers a local solution to Space start-ups, government (DSTG), and SME’s because we are well placed to offer quick turn-around testing that improves the time it takes to develop new hardware.
Our state-of-the-art equipment is perfectly suited to test Cube Sats/ Small Sats for
- Electro-Magnetic Compatibility
- Temperature variations
- Vibration

Peter has kindly offered to provide us with an overview of the business and a tour of the test laboratory.

A warm welcome extended to anyone interested in Mars, space exploration or the space industry. 

Feel free to join us after the tour to socialise.

We usually order a meal for those who want, and share the cost/ person, e.g. share takeaway pizzas. Estimate $10/person. Pay cash on the night

(Not Sunday 3 September due to Fathers Day)

Saturday 5th – 6th August 2023 Science Alive! at the Adelaide Showgrounds 
Entertain the kids and get them enthusiastic about science. All booths have fun hands on activities. Visit our booth while you're there!
Session times are: 9am - 5:00pm
For ticket purchase or further details https://www.sciencealive.neta.au

 There is No Public lecture for August 2023

Sunday 2nd July 2023 arrive 06:00 to 06:15pm start - Jelena Fabri, Australian Space Agency/ Flinders University 

''Floating with Scissors: The Archaeology of Food and Eating Aboard the International Space Station "

Access is controlled. Please arrive prior to the start time if possible

How does food shape the experiences of the astronauts working and living in space? How did space food evolve over the decades? Space food provides the nutrition for the astronauts but also provides them with comfort, connection, and a way to express their cultural identities. The focus of this research project is the study of the material culture related to food and eating located aboard the International Space Station. The aim of the project is to broaden the topics of study of space archaeology and deepen our understanding of the human adaptations to life in the extreme environment of the Low Earth Orbit via the study of space foodways by using archaeological methods and techniques.

Sunday 4th June 2023 arrive 06:00 for 06:15pm start - Dr Mark Rutten, CEO InTrack Solutions

''Space Traffic Management: From Earth to Mars''

Access is controlled. Please arrive prior to the start time if possible

Space traffic management plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of space activities. As we continue to rely on satellites for communication, navigation, and Earth observation, understanding their precise positions in orbit becomes paramount. This talk explores the concept of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and the methods used to track satellites around Earth. We will discuss ground-based observations, radar tracking, and data fusion techniques that enable us to determine the precise positions of space objects. Maintaining an accurate catalogue of satellites is crucial, requiring collaboration among space agencies and commercial operators.  We face similar challenges and opportunities in ensuring the safety and efficiency of space operations beyond Earth's orbit.

Sunday 7th May 2023 5:45 on for 6pm start. Craig Maynard, General Manager Axiom Precision Manufacturing, "Precision manufacturing in the space industry and what this could look like in future"

Access is controlled. Please arrive prior to the start time if possible.

Over the past 40 years, Axiom Precision Manufacturing has grown to become one of the largest Australian owned precision machining and advanced manufacturing companies, with a long history servicing global markets across a range of high technology industries through the full engineering life cycle. We have become renowned for our high quality components and reliable service, that many global companies rely on to deliver.

 Axiom employ over 70 staff across our 10,000 square metre purpose-built facilities. Our workshops are equipped with state-of-the-art machines and the latest technology, enabling us to design, prototype, manufacture, fabricate, assemble, integrate, test and support our customer requirements from one location. 

Sunday 11th December 2022 at 6pm start - End of year Event - BBQ is optional Free online lecture – Dr Vienna Tran "Beds, Butts and the Blue Danube: An overview of space medicine and an example of novel research"

After her talk at the Mars Society Australia meeting in 2019 about infectious diseases and radiation in space, Vienna is delighted to come back and give her next presentation.

As we push the envelope of humanity’s boundaries, space medicine will become the rate-limiting step. We have the rockets and the fuel required to go to Mars, but in comparison, our knowledge about the body in space is miniscule, and it must be addressed before we send humans on such a journey.
One such issue is the degradation of muscles in space due to microgravity. Some of the proposed countermeasures include the use of a human centrifuge to generate artificial gravity to maintain muscle, which is the focus of Vienna’s research. Vienna will discuss the study’s background, preliminary findings and implications for long-duration spaceflight. 

Booking to attend is essential - BBQ is optional (please order if you are having BBQ)
o BBQ cost: $12 per person to cover meat/ alternative and salads.
o If you prefer vegetarian, vegan or have special dietary requirements please do let me know.
o BYO drinks and a sweet or treat to share
The BBQ will be served indoors prior to the lecture, and sweets & treats after)

Preferably pay cash on the night or bank transfer can be arranged. No payment. By card.
Book by contacting me direct: mt01@adam.com.au. For enquiries email or 0481 093 877

Sunday 6th November 2022 - Free event - Live Lecture - Associate Professor Rini Akmeliawati, "Space robotics for Moon exploration & challenges"

In this talk, various aspects of space robotics will be discussed briefly. The challenges that we are facing in order to extend the current robotic technologies to suit the conditions on off-earth deployment will be presented. Finally, we will present the related research that is undertaken at the Space Robotics group in the University of Adelaide.

Booking link : https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/space-robotics-for-moon-exploration-challenges-tickets-457253205647

Thursday 27th October 2022 1:00 to 4:20pm From the Australian Outback to Mars
At The Australian Spaca Discovery Centre Lot 14 (will be moved to LOT 14 Theatre if numbers require) North Terrace Adelaide
as part of the Andy Thomas Foundation Space Week 2022
Join us for this exciting event which will explore the nature, justification, and impact a Mars analogue research station would have for South Australia’s burgeoning space sector. The Mars Arkaroola Research Station (MARS) is the outcome of 20 years work by Mars Society Australia and would enable the conduct of field engineering, astrobiology, planetary science, and space bio-medical research, attracting researchers from across Australia and internationally to the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. MARS would also be used for STEM programs and as a focus and showcase of space activities in the State and the beyond. The event features speakers from across Australia and internationally to address what need to be done to establish MARS.
Opening - Prof. Caroline McMillen, Chief Scientist for South Australia
• The Mars Vision - Dr Robert Zubrin, Founder and President, The Mars Society (virtual)
• Space Agency & Human Space Initiatives - Tori Tasker (virtual)
• Mars Arkaroola Research Station (MARS) - Prof Jonathan Clarke, President, Mars Society Australia
• Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) - Dr Shannon Rupert, Director, MDRS Mission Support and Management Team , The Mars Society (virtual)
• Significance of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary - Peter Nikoloff, Mars Society Australia
• Space Medicine - Dr Gordon Cable, Co-Founder and Medical Director, Human Aerospace
• Marsupial/ Space Suits - Peter Nikoloff, Mars Society Australia

Panel discussion - The Challenges and Benefits of a MARS research Station in Australia 
• Pete Nikoloff              Mars Society Australia/Nova Systems  Facilitator
• Jon Clarke                 Mars Society Ausytralia
• Gordon Cable            Human Aerospace – Space Medicine
• Steve Hore                South Australian Senior Geologist
• Reg Caruthers           South Australian Space Industry Centre

Booking link https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/from-the-australian-outback-to-mars-tickets-434771963647
 

Saturday 6th – 7th August 2022 Science Alive! at the Adelaide Showgrounds 
Entertain the kids and get them enthusiastic about science. All booths have fun hands on activities. Visit our booth while you're there!
Session times are: 9am - 5:00pm
For ticket purchase or further details https://www.sciencealive.org.au

Sunday 3rd July 2022 at 6pm - Free live event - Visit to the Australian Space Discovery Centre with Nate Taylor

The Australian Space Discovery Centre was established in May 2021 forming an integral part of the Australian Space Agency’s vision to transforming Australia’s role in space and to grow the Australian space sector by adding 20,000 additional jobs and tripling the size of the space sector GDP by 2030. With a gallery full of interactive exhibits, a careers wall featuring Australian stories and Australia’s first publicly viewable Mission Control Centre, come along to the Australian Space Discovery Centre and learn about how the Agency is shaping the future of space in Australia.

EVENT SOLD OUT

Sunday 5th June 2022 at 6pm start - Free event - Live Lecture - Professor Scott Smith, 'Off-Earth construction'

The NASA Artemis program to send humans to the moon and onto Mars provides an important impetus to develop technologies and methods to enable humans to live and work in deep space for long periods of time. More recently, the “Robotics and Automation on Earth and in Space” Roadmap published by the Australian Space Agency identifies the need to develop Foundational Services, which are “operational services that support exploration missions to build towards (and eventually maintain) a sustained off-Earth presence”. This presentation will address the issue of off-earth construction, mainly located in Lunar and Martian environments. 

Bookng or further information here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/off-earth-construction-tickets-354972250557

Sunday 1st May 2022 at 6pm start - Free event - Live Lecture - Dr Victor Gostin, 'Planet Mars - Exciting rover discoveries'

The Perseverance rover, is the most complex object ever sent to Mars. This rover is searching for evidence of ancient microbial life in   Crater where a beautiful ancient alluvial fan is now the focus of attention. This lecture should provide useful background information of this interesting planet and outline some of its Australian scientific contributions.

Bookng or further information here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/planet-mars-exciting-rover-discoveries-tickets-309450513817

Events were postponed due to COViD 6 February 2022. 6 March 2022, 3 April 2022

Sunday 5th December 2021 at 6pm start - End of year Event - Free LIVE lecture - Dr Ian Johnson, 'Cellular Space. What can we learn from cell biology alterations in spaceflight-induced pathophysiology?'

Space environments such as microgravity have opened new areas of biomedical research that can help build a better understanding of living systems and the role gravity plays on human development and disease pathogenesis. The impacts on biological processes such as mass loss to the musculoskeletal system, are a result of microgravity induced responses at the cellular and molecular level, where cells react and adapt to this extreme environment. Here, we unwrap some of the current knowledge on how cells perceive gravitational force and the fundamental mechanisms therein that influences cellular and broader physiological changes.

Booking to attend is essential - BBQ is optional (please order) 

o BBQ cost: $12 per person to cover meat/ alternative, salads and a sweet treat.
o If you prefer vegetarian, vegan or have special dietary requirements please do let me know. (The BBQ will be served indoors after the lecture)
o BYO drinks 

Booking: mt01@adam.com.au For enquiries email or 0481 093 877

Sunday 7th November 2021 at 6pm Free Event - LIVE lecture - Professor Siobhan Banks, ' Sleep and Living in Space'

Astronauts are a vital part of any space mission, but human biology and psychology are pushed to the limit anytime they go into space. How will we manage humans in space for years at a time? Astronauts must be able to carry out mission-critical tasks at any time during a mission and maintain a high level of performance in the face of mission demands (high workload, shift work schedules, sleep loss), extreme environmental risks (altered light-dark cycles, radiation risks, hard boundaries on all vital life systems) and psychosocial stressors (isolation, confinement, separation from family, interpersonal conflicts). Managing stress, negative emotions, and fatigue, all of which are important for neurobehavioural status and cognitive performance capabilities, will be key for successful missions, particularly long duration spaceflight. Prof Banks will present research from laboratory studies and space analogues on how countermeasures such as novel sleep schedules and technologies for tracking fatigue and performance can be used to manage these risks.

Booking essential:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sleeping-and-living-in-space-tickets-203035744377

Sunday 10th October 2021 at 6pm Free Event - LIVE lecture - Dr Graziella Caprarelli, 'The Search for Water On Mars’ 

The discovery of liquid water on Mars continues to be one of the principal objectives of space exploration. Water is the most valuable resource for future human settlements and, even more importantly, it is an essential ingredient for the emergence of life as we know it. The search for liquid water on Mars started in the late 1800s, when Schiaparelli first, and Lowell later, observed and catalogued long linear features on the surface of Mars that Lowell defined “channels”. Whether natural (as Schiaparelli thought) or human-made (as Lowell believed), these were initially thought to be waterways, raising the prospect of a planet similar to Earth. Spacecraft observations soon dispelled this notion, when the Mariner missions revealed a dry and desolate expanse. However, mounting evidence from subsequent space missions to Mars has progressively revealed that Mars was different in earlier times, and while the freezing global surface temperatures are not conducive to water being in a liquid state, geological and astronomical evidence indicates that under certain conditions water could have been liquid, even if for short periods of time, in the past. At present, only hypersaline aqueous solutions can remain liquid, with brines inferred to explain seasonal linear features at mid-latitudes, and, recently, bright radar reflections acquired by the ground penetrating radar (MARSIS) on board of ESA’s mission Mars Express. In this talk Dr Caprarelli will take us on a journey of discovery at the search for evidence of liquid water on Mars, past and present.

For bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-search-for-water-on-mars-tickets-186473155227

COVID restrictions will be in place – indoor wearing of masks correctly, i.e. cover mouth and nose. 

Sunday 12th September 2021 at 6pm Free Event - LIVE lecture - Assoc. Prof Jenny Mortimer and  Prof Matthew Gilliham, University of Adelaide, ‘Plants for Space’

As space launch capabilities rapidly advance, off-Earth habitation is on the horizon. By the early 2030’s, humans will have established the lunar gateway as a precursor to crewed Mars missions in the 2040’s. However, critical technologies for Mars mission life support (e.g. provision of air, water, and nutrition) lags far behind; re-supply from Earth is not a viable option. Sustainable provision of such resources within the constraints of Space environments will require significant innovation. Our programs will leverage Australian and International expertise in agriculture, plant, and food research to produce step-change innovations for the global Space community. We will use plants’ unique ability to create complex products from light, water, and carbon dioxide to re-imagine plant design and create zero-waste plants for food and on-demand biomolecule manufacture (pharmaceutical and bioplastic precursors) to enable human physical and psychological wellbeing during off-Earth travel and settlement. Opportunities and challenges will be discussed. For bookngs:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plants-for-space-tickets-169969714993

SPECIAL EVENT Science Alive! at the Adelaide Showgrounds  7/11/2020 - 8/11/2020 Visit our booth while you're there!
This is a fantastic way to entertain the kids and get them enthusiastic about science. All booths have fun hands on activities. Very cool.
Session times are: 9am-1pm or 1:30pm-5:30pm

Ticket Prices
Adults: $20
Two adults: $35
Children up to 15 years of age $5
Children under 2 years old are free

For ticket purchase or further details https://www.sciencealive.org.au

EVENTS ARE CANCELLED (Planned Public Event dates for 2020 were: 2 February, 1 March, 5 April, 3 May, 14 June, 5 July, 2 August, 7-9 August Science Alive! (at Adelaide Showgrounds), 13 September (a week later due to Fathers Day), 11 October (a week later due to Labour Day), 1 November, 6 December) 

Sunday 1st March 2020 at 6 pm Free Event - details to come..

Sunday 2nd February 2020 at 6 pm Free Event - Dr Shane Usher, "Australians in Space Analogue Facilities and Missions" LIVE VIA SKYPE including Q&A 

With the success of the Apollo Moon landings, it seemed a natural extension to assume that humans would soon be exploring the solar system to Mars and beyond.  However, in the ensuing five decades, humans have been restricted to low earth orbit.  We have failed to develop confidence in our capacity to support life in deep space outside the protection of Earth’s magnetic field, on Moon, Mars or beyond.  There is currently no operational human life support infrastructure outside low Earth orbit.

Many terrestrial analogue facilities have been developed to mimic the hostile environments of space, the Moon and Mars.  Two of the most famous facilities are the isolation chambers of the Institute of Biomedical Problems (IMBP) in Moscow (Mars 500 mission) and the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah (Mars Society).  An Australian led mission went to Utah as Expedition Boomerang in 2019 and an Australian candidate is currently shortlisted for an 8-month isolation mission in 2020.  These missions are used to research a broad range of issues involving psychology, physiology, biology, microbiology, geology, engineering, monitoring and control of environmental systems.  Missions at these facilities will be overviewed.

It is important to note that these facilities do not simulate reduced-gravity, vacuum pressures or high energy radiation.  We need to prepare for these challenges to enable a sustained human presence in space.  A walk-in vacuum chamber soon to open in Tasmania is likely to be a valuable resource.  Expanding this idea further, one proposal is to develop a transportable walk-in vacuum chamber on the scale of a shipping container.  There are a multitude of research applications including equipment certification, spacesuit testing, experience in a vacuum environment and even research simulating the surface of Mars or radiation induced plasma on the Moon.

Sunday 1st December 2019 at 6 pm  End of year celebration opitional BBQ (see details and cost below). Free public lecture Vienna Tran on 'Space Invaders And Laser Beams: Two Important Issues In Space Medicine' 

Booking to attend is essential - BBQ is optional booking required

Before we make our first steps on the red planet, we must travel there first. This presentation addresses two important medical issues with regards to long-duration interplanetary travel.
Firstly, infectious diseases will pose a significant threat to the astronaut. Stress, microgravity, and the isolated nature of the spacecraft have been found to compromise the immunity of the astronaut, while microbes have demonstrated rapid adaptation to their unfamiliar environment, including genetic mutation and increased virulence. Secondly, space radiation has the potential to affect not only the human body but also the medications on board the spacecraft. There is evidence that medications degrade at a faster rate on the International Space Station (ISS) compared to on Earth. This has significant implications for astronaut health on long-duration missions.

o   BBQ cost: $10 per person to cover meat/ alternative and salads - please let us know if you prefer vegetarian, vegan or have special dietary requirements.
(The BBQ will be served indoors)

o BYO drinks

o You are encouraged to bring a dessert or treat to share  

Sunday 3rd November 2019 at 6 pm Free Event - Professors Michael Goodsite & Volker Hessel and Assoc Professor John Culton - 'The importance of mining off earth resources for sustainable prosperity on Earth and habitation in space'  

The University of Adelaide Centre for Sustainable Planetary Space Resources will brief it’s thoughts about research-based education with tell respect to space mining and present its approach to some of the known challenges. The leadership team of CSPSR and CEME are very much interested in discussion and dialog as we plan future education and research and looks forward to discussing with the members and guests. 

Sunday 13th October 2019 at 6 pm Free Event -  Phillip Saridakis, 'Aquanautics - The Next Phase In The Evolution Of Human Kinesiology'

As we are slaves to gravity, our bodies become conditioned to function with its use however without gravity, we become capable of movement synergies that our minds have never fathomed due to our lack of requirement for them. As we look to journeying into the far reaches of space it is now becoming necessary to rewire our understanding of our bodies in order to succeed with prolonged absence of gravity. 

Phillip’s presentation will be centred around how he stumbled on this concept, and how and why NASA became interested. 

Sunday 8th September 2019 at 6 pm Free Event - 2 presentations tonight

• Associate Professor Victor Gostin, "Axial Tilt Changed on Mars and Earth"

Axial changes on Mars have been proved by topographic mapping of ancient coasts. Earth’s axial change during the Ediacaran (~630 million years ago) has been suggested by documenting the latitudes of ancient glacial deposits. Massive volcanic uplift and eruptions on Mars probably altered its axial tilt, whereas the cause of Earth’s change remains a puzzle. However this high-obliquity hypothesis provides an alternative to the “snowball Earth” hypothesis.

• Jana Stoudemire, Director of Commercial Innovation at Space Tango, on “Research and Manufacturing in the Microgravity Environment.”

As the Commercial Innovation Officer at Space Tango, Jana leads the development of commercial market creation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for biomedical and technology research and manufacturing applications. 

SPECIAL EVENT FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK  Science Alive! at the Adelaide Showgrounds  02/08/2019 - 04/08/2019 Visit our booth while you're there!

This is a fantastic way to entertain the kids and get them enthusiastic about science. All booths have fun hands on activities. Very cool.

Opening Times: 9am to 5pm Saturday & Sunday

ONLINE TICKETS PRICES
Adults: $20
Two adults: $35
Concession: $17.50
Science Alive! is FREE for all children under 15 years of age (children under 15 will not require a ticket).
Tickets purchased at the door will be $25 for adults, $40 for two adults, and $20 for concession, so avoid the queues and SAVE by pre-purchasing your tickets online.

For information or booking : https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/science-alive-2019-tickets-62960245790 

Sunday 7th July 2019 at 6 pm Free Event - Dr Gordon Cable, "The Human Challenges of Mars Exploration"

Plans for the exploration of deep space over the coming decades will see humans travel deeper into space and for longer periods than at any time in human history. A permanent presence in cis-lunar orbit, exploration of the lunar surface, and missions to the Mars system are all being planned. This new era of space exploration will expose humans to hazards not experienced since the Apollo program of the 1960s and 70s, but magnified by greater distance and much longer exposures. This presentation will use the paradigm of NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP) which prioritizes 5 hazards of human spaceflight to explore the ways that the deep space environment can affect human physiology and health, and the challenges that must be overcome for exploration missions to succeed.

Sunday 2nd June 2019 at 6 pm Free Event - Dr Patrick Neumann, "Maslow’s Hierarchy of Colonisation" 

Abraham Maslow's 1943 paper described a hierarchy of human needs required to be met to provide for a fully rewarding life.  Many of the plans for Martian colonisation address the physiological and safety needs, and this talk shall address a number of these plans before discussing what is required for fuller levels of self-sufficiency.

Sunday 5th May 2019 at 6 pm Free Event - Dr Kimberley Norris

Kimberley Norris is a Senior Lecturer in the University of Tasmania, Division of Psychology, School of Medicine within the College of Health and Medicine. Her overarching research and academic interests are focused on maximising human health, wellbeing and performance in both normal and extreme environments.

Sunday 7th April 2019 at 6 pm Free Event - Scott Schneider,  "International and commercial considerations of humans and Mars"

How can humans minimise risk when traveling to and while living on Mars?  How much will it cost?  What are the health implications?  What technologies are most promising?  How might the activities on Mars change our culture and values?

Going beyond the fundamentals of international space law, this talk outlines some practical legal considerations to the above topics, i.e. what areas and principles of law are relevant in Mars exploration and habitation?

Through discussion of liability, property rights and governance of activities related to humans and Mars, the talk aims to provide the audience with an introductory appreciation of seeing Mars in the context of social rights and responsibilities.

SPECIAL EVENT Monday 18th March 2019 Dr Shannon Rupert, "The Mars Desert Reseach Station" 

Booking required. Eventbrite registration: mdrs.eventbrite.com.au 

The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), owned and operated by the Mars Society, is a space analog facility in Utah that supports Earth-based research in pursuit of the technology, operations, and science required for human space exploration. It hosts an eight month field season for professional scientists and engineers as well as college students of all levels, in training for human operations specifically on Mars. The relative isolation of the facility allows for rigorous field studies as well as human factors research. Most crews carry out their mission under the constraints of a simulated Mars mission. The MDRS is surrounded by a landscape that is an actual geologic Mars analog, which offers opportunities for rigorous field studies as they would be conducted during an actual space mission.

Sunday 3rd March 2019 at 6 pm Free Event - Dr Sarah Jane Pell, "Leading into a Mars Medical Mission in Mustang," LIVE VIA SKYPE including Q&A 

Pell’s research focuses on human expression and performance. She designs tactical laboratories for experimental arts to support performance within operational ICE environments. She collaborates with the Monash Immersive Visualisation Platform [MIVP]. Her team have produced tools for spatial awareness during simulated EVAs in terrestrial analogue sites, and post-processing large data transmission between global sites for affective visualisation in the CAVE2, Virtual Reality, Dome and Future Control Room.
Pell has danced with underwater rovers, flown space art payloads, designed rebreathers and helmets, and broadcast Earth-Moon-Earth performances. Simulation Astronaut in the Gandolfi II spacesuit for the MOONWALK European lunar analogue underwater human-robotic trials in Marseille Bay, France in 2016.
Sarah served as MDRS188 Artist-in-Residence at Mars Desert Research Station in Utah US, and Commander of Lunares Moon/Mars Station SPECTRA mission in Pila, PL in 2018. She prepares to depart Australia this week as Crew Medical Officer/Artist-in-Residence of MAU-Mars Medical 001 Crew – mid-fidelity sim at 3700m altitude, Nepal (Mar 2019)
Her challenge remains: how to amplify the embodied knowledge of human exploration.

www.sarahjanepell.com (web)
@Aquabatics (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram)
#ArtistAstronaut 

Sunday 3rd February 2019 at 6 pm Free Event - Professor Volker Hessel "Tiny Spaces For The Infinite Space: Flow Chemistry Mini-Labs As Assets Of Space Manufacturing?"

Space Manufacturing is by no means anymore a vision of a Jules Verne novel or a Kubrick science-fiction movie. It is silently, yet consistently underway and much further developed than public perception is aware.  Obviously, such an ambitious endeavor in the harsh space environment (i.e. vacuum, coldness, intense irradiation, and a low degree of logistics) is only possible with the most advanced approaches and tools.
Concerning chemical manufacture, flow chemistry provides the best-current-practice processing, allowing very compact, light-weight format, and high capability / performance opportunity for automation. This may provide economical-viable solutions in view of the high transport costs and remote location. Indeed, flow chemistry has been considered as an enabler for space explorations.  Recently, flow chemistry experiments have been conducted at the International Space Station (ISS) opening up an opportunity for space chemistry and space manufacturing.
This talk is to give a perspective contribution on the motivation and technological capability of the use of flow chemistry for space manufacturing. 

Sunday 2nd December 2018 at 6 pm End of year celebration BBQ followed by a free presentation 'End of Year Mars Highlights' by Associate Professor Victor Gostin

Featuring current asteroid impacts, lava tunnels and caves, wide seas with shorelines, complex carbon molecules, methane from somewhere?  And do include lichens for your space trip!

Please RSVP essential for catering purposes - BBQ optional - see details below

For our end of year break up feel free to Dress up, Dress down, Dress for Space, Fun or just come as you are…BBQ is optional
o   Cost: $10 to cover meat/ alternative and salads (please let us know if you prefer vegetarian, vegan or have special dietary requirements)
o    For catering purpose RSVP required for those wishing to join the BBQ
o   BYO drinks. If you would like bring a dessert or treat to share

To book or for further information contact Marcia 

Sunday 4th November 2018 at 6 pm Free Event - Dr Mark Bishop "Dynamic Mars" the first of 2 talks on this topic

Mark Bishop will outline the action of wind in the evolution of landscape as a dynamic mechanism that has longevity beyond many other recognised processes, and is a mechanism that spans all geological and climatic eras for Mars. Spanning a history of more than some 3 Ga, aeolian bedforms and processes describe artefact and embryonic landscapes that are both recognizable, and unfamiliar.  This talk demonstrates the current understanding of dune-field geography, as well as offer insight into the workings of an extra-terrestrial aeolian system, the Bagnold dune-field, and how this involves an integrated operation of orbiting satellite sensors and the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity, and its 3D imaging capabilities. Highlights shown from Curiosity’s in situ investigations will include the granulometry, geomorphology, mineralogy, geochemistry, activity and history the rover has discovered in the study of the Bagnold dunes, alongside the relationships between the dunes and the regional geology, and to wind as a geological process.  

Dr. Mark A. Bishop is a Senior Education and Communication Specialist & Research Scientist with the Planetary Science Institute (PSI) based in Tucson-Arizona, USA.  His research involves the comparison of Earth analogues in the evolution and understanding of landscapes and climates for Mars, and the outreach of this information into Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) teaching, and the public arena.  A current project that frames tonight’s talk involves working with the Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity rover and its collection of field data for which aeolian processes and landforms can be recognized in the geological record of Mars and tested against analogue sites on Earth. 

Sunday 7th October 2018 at 6 pm Free Event - PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE - A Visit to Hamilton Space School, 815 Marion Road - enter via gate 3 

The Hamilton Space School was opened in September of 2017 and caters for specialist educational experiences focusing on the space industry. It is a purpose built facility which houses the Mike Roach Space Center and caters for those that have an interest in impressive, realistic and engaging space education.

Sunday 9th September 2018 at 6 pm Free Event - Mr Peter Nikoloff South Austraia's Space Journey 

South Australia has a rich and diverse involvement in space from WRESAT to JAXA’s exciting asteroid exploration with samples landing on our door step. This presentation will track South Australia’s exciting journey in Space from Woomera to Space 2.0.

Pete Nikoloff is Director, Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) and a Member of the South Australian Government Space Advisory Council. He is a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Fellow of Engineers Australia. Pete Nikoloff is an Executive Director and Co-founder of Nova Systems. He obtained an Aeronautical Engineer degree from RMIT in 1986 and has 30 years’ experience supporting and conducting test and evaluation of defence and space systems.
Prior to starting Nova, Pete worked as a Flight Test Engineer at the RAAF's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) as Senior F/A-18 Hornet Test Engineer. Pete’s T&E experience has included F/A-18, Air Warfare Destroyer, JAXA Experimental Supersonic Transport, Woomera Range Control System Upgrade, and C-Band Space Surveillance Radar. Peter was the Australian Government’s Safety and Operations Liaison Officer for the Japanese NEXST1 project which resulted in the successful rocket launch of the vehicle in Woomera. 

SPECIAL EVENT FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK  Science Alive! at the Adelaide Showgrounds  03/08/2018 - 05/08/2017 Visit our booth while you're there!

This is a fantastic way to entertain the kids and get them enthusiastic about science. All booths have fun hands on activities. Very cool.

Opening Times: 9am to 5pm Saturday & Sunday

Entry Cost: Under 18 FREE, Adults $18 online plus booking fee Concession $14 online plus booking fee

                  Adult $20 at the door, Concession $15 at the door

Pavilion: Goyder & Jubilee Entry gates: Rose Terrace & Goodwood Road  http://sciencealivesa.org.au

Sunday 3rd July 2018 at 6 pm Free Event - Siddharth Pandey LIVE VIA SKYPE including Q&A, "NASA Spaceward Bound India Program 2016"

As a Director of Mars Society Australia, Siddharth played the role of Project Coordinator for NASA Spaceward Bound India Program 2016, an international planetary science expedition with outreach objectives to the Himalayan region of Ladakh in India. Siddharth will present his findings from the expedition and upcoming plans for the team in India. He will also talk about training for space exploration on Earth.

Sunday 3rd June 2018 at 6 pm Free Event - Dr Jonathan Clarke LIVE VIA SKYPE including Q&A,"Are There Polar Bears on Mars?" 

What’s it like to undertake a month long Mars simulation in the Arctic? What are some of the unsavoury realities of living in a small group of people in an isolated and hostile environment?  What lessons are there in this experience for people going to Mars?  In 2017 I had the immense privilege of taking Mars in the final stage of the Mars 160 expedition to the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island, 75 degrees north and well inside the Arctic circle. We, six people from Australia, the US, France, Japan, India, and Russia studied biology geology, EVA and habitat operations, and our own reactions and responses.  We coped with bad weather, mould, limited food, power, water, and basic living conditions, and the ever present threat of polar bears. In my talk I will summarise aspects of the experience and discuss what they teach us about picking the team to go to Mars and what it might be like to live and work there

Sunday 6th May 2018 at 6 pm Free Event - Dr Steven Hobbs LIVE VIA SKYPE including Q&A, "Marsobot: Mars Society Australia’s project to develop a small rover to send to Mars"

The talk will give an overview of the aims of Marsobot and its current status.

Steven Hobbs is a qualified photographer and graphic designer with 15 years professional experience and whose illustrations have routinely been commissioned for scientific literature and many other publications. Steven has completed a PhD that compares terrestrial gullies in peri-glacial, temperate and semi arid settings with Martian gullies in Noachis Terra. He is extending the scope of this research and explore robotic applications of remote sensing, and raw material extraction through the use of ground based systems. To this end he has developed Mars’O Bot – robot platforms that employ open source micro controller architecture, proven mobility methodology and off the shelf components. Mars’O Bot aims to provide rovers that are able to conduct productive scientific missions in environments where human exploration would be hazardous or impractical. Steven has published a number of peer reviewed articles and abstracts.

Sunday 8th April 2018 at 6 pm Free Public lecture - Dr Steven Pietrobon "Fly Me to the Moon (and Mars) on an SLS Block II"

We examine how a 140 t to low Earth orbit (LEO) Block II configuration of the Space Launch System (SLS) can be used to perform a crewed Lunar landing in a single launch. We show that existing RSRMV solid rocket motors can be used to achieve Block II performance by using a core with six RS-25E engines and a large upper stage (LUS) with two J-2X engines. A cryogenic propulsion stage (CPS) with four RL-10C-2 engines is used to perform trans Lunar injection (TLI), Lunar orbit insertion (LOI) and 75% of powered descent to the Lunar surface. A Lunar module (LM) initially carrying two crew and 509 kg of cargo is used to perform the remaining 25% of Lunar descent. The LM is in two parts consisting of a crew and propulsion module (CPM) and non-propulsive landing and cargo module (LCM). The CPM returns the crew and 100 kg of samples to the waiting Orion in Lunar orbit for return to Earth. A Mars mission scenario using three SLS Block II launches will also be presented.

Sunday 4th March 2018 at 6 pm Free Public lecture - Dr Patrick Neumann "Sourcing propellant in space: in-situ resource utilisation options for different propulsion systems"

Many mission plans for exploring the solar system exist, but they all require large quantities of propellant.  If the goal of the mission is to return a sample or crew from another planet, then the propellant mass requirements are enormous if the propellant for the return journey must be brought on the outbound journey.  Thus research has turned to the topic of in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) as a method of producing propellant at the mission destination for the return journey.  This talk will discuss various propulsion technologies, giving particular attention to the propellants used by each, and the production process for these propellants.  Attention will be paid to the degree of prospecting and industrialisation required to produce these fuels via ISRU in the Martian environment and how this is being taken into account in exploration plans.

Sunday 4th February 2018 at 6 pm Free Public lecture Live Via SKYPE including Q&A, Dr Rowena Christiansen "Space Medicine 101 – A Primer on What Happens to the Human Body in Space" and A fresh look at the role of the human appendix in expeditionary medicine “from the far corners of the Earth to the stars”: benivolem aut insidiator?

There are two key environments to consider – the protected microgravity environment inside a spacecraft and the unprotected extreme environment of space.
The astronauts on ISS are in continual ‘free-fall’ around the Earth, thus experiencing ‘weightlessness’. This microgravity environment affects every system of the body, in some instances in a more negative way than others, and ‘countermeasures’ are needed in order to attempt to maintain homeostasis (balance) and fitness.  There are also psychological issues to consider, such as the effects of isolation and confinement and busy structured daily schedules, and sleep can be affected.
Due to the physiological changes from extended periods in space, adjusting back to 1G on Earth is challenging, and normally rehabilitation is required.
It is certainly true that “in space no-one can hear you scream”, but would a human left unprotected in space explode as depicted in Hollywood movies? Come along and find out!

Sunday 3rd December 2017 at 6 pm End of year celebration BBQ followed by a free Public Lecture - Dr Alice Gorman "The Haunted Geometries of Space Stations"

Please RSVP for catering purposes - BBQ optional - see details below

For our end of year break up feel free to Dress up, Dress down, Dress for Space, Fun or just come as you are…

Abstract:  Space hardware of every era presents visions of a future based on degrees of gravity. In the early 20th century, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky imagined that life in microgravity would create an idyllic egalitarian society where people basked in orbiting greenhouses, drinking in the limitless energy of the sun. Instead, the wreckage of rockets and satellites orbits the Earth, splintering into ever smaller fragments that mirror the plastic sand proliferating in the oceans.
Among this debris – and further afield in the solar system – are abandoned spacecraft that encapsulate the hopes and fears of those that remain in the bottom of the gravity well. Unlike archaeological artefacts on Earth which have to be raised into the light by excavation, they are ever present, circulating among the live satellites. This is a stark manifestation of ‘the past haunting the present’. More interestingly, there are only two which have ever contained human life – the empty Tiangong-1 and the International Space Station, which is currently occupied but beset with uncertainty. Our place in the space beyond Earth is precarious, yet precious to many. What emerging technologies might provide new visions to propel us into a future space – and a future archaeology?

Bio: Dr Alice Gorman is an internationally recognised leader in the field of space archaeology. She is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at Flinders University, where she teaches the Archaeology of Modern Society. Her research focuses on the archaeology and heritage of space exploration, including space junk, planetary landing sites, off-earth mining, rocket launch pads and antennas. She is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Advisory Council of the Space Industry Association of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Her writing has been selected four times for The Best Australian Science Writing anthology, and in 2017 she won the Bragg Prize for Science Writing. She tweets as @drspacejunk and blogs at Space Age Archaeology.

BBQ is optional
o   Cost: $10 to cover meat/ alternative and salads (please let us know if you prefer vegetarian, vegan or have special dietary requirements)
o    For catering purpose RSVP required for those wishing to join the BBQ
o   BYO drinks. If you would like bring a dessert or treat to share 

To book or for further information contact Marcia on 0481 093 877 or mt01@adam.com.au

Sunday 5th November 2017 at 6pm Free Public Lecture - Dr Graziella Caprarelli "Anatomy of geothermal fields in New Zealand: possible Martian analogues?"

Abstract: The Taupo Volcanic Zone in the North Island of New Zealand is host to several geothermal fields aligned along the direction connecting Lake Taupo in the south to Lake Tarawera and along the Tarawera River further north. Geothermal waters of mixed magmatic and meteoric origin (i.e., rain water), feed spectacular rainbow lakes, mud pools and geysers, in the process also depositing layers of hydrothermal minerals. A hydrothermal origin has also been proposed to explain the geology of some regions of Mars. In this talk we will explore similarities and differences through a photographic record of the beauty of the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Track and the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. 

Bio: Graziella Caprarelli is Associate Professor in Space Science at the University of South Australia, and Research Professor (Adj.) with the International Research School of Planetary Sciences in Italy. She obtained her PhD from the University “La Sapienza” of Rome, with a dissertation on the geothermal fields of Campi Flegrei (Italy). Her current research focuses on Earth and Mars, particularly volcanic and tectonic processes. This talk was inspired by her recent trip to New Zealand. 

Our October event (which would have been on October 1st) will be replaced by another free public lecture being held in conjunction with the State Library of SA at the library on Monday October 9th

“Introduction to spacecraft and space environment effects on them”

When: Monday 9 October at 6:30pm
Where: State Library of SA, Hetzel Lecture Theatre, Institute Building, Cnr Kintore Ave & North Tce, Adelaide, SA 5000

Booking required: http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=828&c=44765

ABSTRACT: Several hundred spacecraft are in orbit around the Earth and a handful are exploring the solar system, so they have become part of everyday life in the last 50 years. The basics of spacecraft subsystems (e.g. communications, attitude control, power and thermal, sensors), orbits (geostationary (GEO), medium-earth (MEO) and low-earth (LEO)) and missions (communications, navigation, weather, remote sensing, reconnaissance) will be outlined in this talk.

Spacecraft are also immersed in a high natural radiation environment that may be detrimental to their operation. The radiation environment at GEO, MEO and low-earth LEO orbits and their considerable variability will be described. Effects on spacecraft vary widely, such as Single Event Upsets caused by high-energy protons and Deep Dielectric Discharge or Electrostatic Discharge caused by high-energy electrons. The sources of the radiation in high-speed solar wind streams, solar particle events and geomagnetic storms will be described and examples of anomalies presented.

BIO:  Dave Neudegg is a Principal Space & Radio Scientist with the Space Weather Services (formerly known as the Ionospheric Prediction Service - IPS from 1947-2014), currently in the Bureau of Meteorology. He has worked in space and radio related areas for nearly 30 years including some spacecraft data analysis and payload operations with the DLR Equator-S and ESA Cluster-II, Mars Express and Double Star missions. Some of these missions suffered space environment (or 'space weather') effects. High-frequency (or short-wave) radio also involves the space environment as the radio waves refract off the ionosphere, and Dave has worked in this area with direction finding, communications and over the horizon radar. This work included studies of the polar ionosphere and it's connection to the geomagnetic and solar magnetic fields and involved a winter in Antarctica in 1992 with a vehicle traverse onto the icecap to operate a sensor array.

Monday September 11th 2017 public lecture is being held in conjunction with the State Library of SA at the Library. 

Booking is essential. 

What: Mars: the exciting history of our smaller sister planet with Associate Professor Victor Gostin 

When: Monday September 11th 6:30-8:00pm

Where: State Library of SA, Hetzel Lecture Theatre, Institute Building, Cnr Kintore Ave & North Tce, Adelaide, SA 5000

To Book: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mars-the-exciting-history-of-our-smaller-sister-planet-tickets-36649071359

Mars has intrigued our imagination for centuries. Would you like to learn more? Join us for this fascinating lecture by Associate Professor Victor Gostin, University of Adelaide.
NASA's rovers plus orbiting satellites have revealed many, often unexpected features. Not only was there a Martian ocean with tsunamis, but large impacts created warm moist conditions suitable for life. As well letting you handle a real meteorite from Mars, this talk will present a few of the many exciting features of our sister planet that have just been published.
Bio: Victor Gostin is a retired Associate Professor in Geology and Geophysics at the University of Adelaide. Victor lectured in earth sciences at Adelaide University from 1970 to 2001. His scientific interests include the origins and evolution of the solar system and of life, meteorite impacts, and environmental geoscience. Victor is keen to popularise earth and planetary sciences to the community through lectures and radio. Asteroid 3640GOSTIN [see GOOGLE] has honoured his scientific discoveries.

SPECIAL EVENT FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK  Science Alive! at the Adelaide Showgrounds  05/08/2017 - 06/08/2017 Visit our booth while you're there!

This is a fantastic way to entertain the kids and get them enthusiastic about science. All booths have fun hands on activities. Very cool.

Opening Times: 9am to 5pm Saturday & Sunday

Entry Cost: FREE for all Under 18 Adults $15 online plus booking fee Concession $10 online plus booking fee

                  Adult $20 at the door, Concession $15 at the door

Pavilion: Goyder & Jubilee Entry gates: Rose Terrace & Goodwood Road  http://sciencealivesa.org.au

Sunday 2nd July Free Presentation - Dr Alicia Tucker - LIVE VIA SKYPE - Life on ‘Mars,’ the Challenges of Human Spaceflight

We may be starting to get the technology perfected to send people to the Red Planet. As humans, are we really ready?

Alicia is an Emergency Physician based in Hobart, Tasmania.  As well as being a Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Alicia is a Fellow in Wilderness Medicine and has worked with the Royal Flying Doctors Service in Outback Australia and as a Ship's Physician to the Antarctic Peninsula.  Learning more about the challenges of human spaceflight seemed like a natural progression after working in these austere environments.  Alicia spent 10 days at the Mars Desert Research Station in April 2017 as part of Crew 179 being schooled on aerospace medicine by a NASA Flight Surgeon as well as exploring the human factors associated with living on 'Mars'.  Alicia is married with 2 young boys and is excited her boys may be part of a generation that will call Mars home.

Sunday 4th June 2017 Free Presentation - Mr James Gilmour of Gilmour Space Technologies - LIVE VIA SKYPE including Q&A - James will talk about their Space Flight Academy, and their new propulsion program. 

Sunday 7th May 2017 Free Public Lecture - Dr Patrick Neumann, Chief Scientist, Neumann Space Pty Ltd “Mars and Back on a Tank of Fuel: Pulsed Cathodic Arc Thruster Missions to Mars”

Abstract: Missions to return samples from Mars and its moons have been discussed for many years, with increasing interest coming as part of NASA’s Mars mission plans. Robotic missions to return Martian material would serve as testbeds for technologies needed in future manned missions, and
thus reduce the risks faced by astronauts in their journeys.  A large part of the technical challenge involved in such a mission is the propulsion system; the sheer quantity of fuel needed for such a mission is staggering if one uses chemical fuels.  Recent developments in electric propulsion could alter the equation, making this type of mission more technically feasible.  This talk will discuss the challenges inherent in this type of mission, before describing the performance benefits available when choosing various electric propulsion technologies over chemical thrusters.

Bio: Paddy studied aerospace engineering and physics as an undergraduate, gaining bachelor’s degrees in both from the University of Sydney, which is where he first started working with electric propulsion systems. During his honours, masters and doctoral work he has refined the system he inherited, from a system optimised for the study of thin film deposition to one that serves as a testbed for thruster prototypes.

Event dates for 2017: February 5th, March 5th, April 2nd, May 7th, June 4th, July 2nd, August 5-6th (Science Alive! at the Adelaide Showgrounds), September 11th (joint withe the State Library of SA), October 8th (a week later due to Labour Day), November 5th, December 3rd

The Victorian branch meets semi-regularly in central Melbourne for specific Mars related events.  If interested in joining our email list, send your details to the contact listed above.