ISS Symposium: Charles Bolden

Future use of the ISS for Human Exploration: Charles Bolden (NASA Administrator)

“Throughout history, nations have always explored in order to develop humankind. Exploration drives technological breakthroughs that benefit all of society. The ISS is there to advance us further…but if we are not tangentially relevant, not improving life on Earth, then we are missing the boat, and we need to help remind everyone that we are trying to make life better for people here on Earth. In doing so, we improve our ability to explore.”

Charles Bolden
Photo credit: Remco Timmermans

These were Charles Bolden’s opening words, at the International Space Station (ISS) Symposium in Berlin on Friday 4, May.

ISS Symposium: Long-term Space Monitoring & Exposure

The International Space Station (ISS) Symposium titled “Research in Space for the Benefit of Humankind” was held in Berlin, Germany from 2-4 May, 2012. Over 250 delegates were invited to attend, representing all of the ISS partners and more. This session looked at past and future science carried out on the ISS concerned with long-term space monitoring.

Waleed Abdalati, Pascale Ehrenfreund, Julie Robinson,
Masaru Matsuoka Gerhard Schmidtke, Boris Zagreev, Torsten Neubert

Waleed Abdalati, NASA’s Chief Scientist, introduced the round table discussion by saying the international space station (ISS) is a great platform and opportunity, which we need to take advantage of in order to understand Earth, the universe, and our place in the universe. The science we can do from space spans earth science, heliophysics and astrophysics.

ISS Symposium: “The ISS has changed the world forever”

“In building the ISS partnership we have made an impossible step, we have changed the world forever.  The ISS is a model for the future of humanity. We have to manage the ISS as one part of a wider exploration program for the benefit of humanity”

Jean-Jacques Dordain

With these remarks, Jean-Jacques Dordain ESA Director General, opened the International Space Station (ISS) Symposium: “Research in Space for the Benefit of Humankind in Berlin” on Wed 2, May. Over 250 delegates were invited to attend, representing the ISS partner nations.

ISS Symposium: Berlin

I successfully applied for an invitation to the International Space Station Symposium which took place in Berlin, 2-4 May, 2012, and enjoyed an amazing two days learning about the science being conducted on the ISS.

Top respresentatives from all five ISS partners were in attendance, including Charles Bolden and John-Jacques Dordain. Over 250 delegates attended, a diverse range of stakeholders including astronauts, scientists, engineers and politicians.

Paolo Nespoli (ESA astronaut) very kindly spent a couple of hours talking with a small group of us after the gala dinner.

Photo credit: Brigitte Bailleul

Brigitte Bailleul, Paolo Nespoli, myself

“In Orbit” lecture by ESA Astronaut Paolo Nespoli

“When you leave the ISS, you close all the hatches, check your suit and don’t touch anything anymore. You make sure the seals are effectively sealed, else you’re stuck, you might not have enough oxygen.”

 

ESA Astronaut Paolo Nespoli (Italian), addressed the question of the amazing photographs he took when last leaving the ISS, given the unique opportunity to provide images of ISS with space shuttle Endeavour and ATV-2 both docked. The talk was part of the Mission X initiative and took place at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London on Saturday 28^th April. Due to transport issues he started with an impromptu questions and answers session.

Conference celebrating 50 years of the UK in space

There was a great program of events for this two day conference at the Science Museum.

My contribution to their official blog can be found here.

I was excited to meet and talk with John Zarnecki, who spent over 15 years of his life working on the science surface package for the Huygens probe, which successfully landed on Titan on 14th January 2005, and continued to send back data for over 90 minutes. I look forward to seeing him again this summer as he is a tutor at the Alpbach summer school.

NPoC for the Space Generation Advisory Council

I am pleased to announce that I have been appointed as one of the two UK National Points of Contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC).
Their vision is to employ the creativity and vigour of youth in advancing humanity through the peaceful uses of outer space and to represent students and young professionals in the creation of international space policy; supporting the UN Programme on Space Applications.

Alpbach Summer School

"Dear Ms MacArthur
We are pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted and that we can offer you a place in the Summer School Alpbach 2012. You will be granted a scholarship by the UK Space Agency."

Best email I have received this year! Very excited and mildly terrified at the prospect of designing a mission to the outer planets, in a diverse international team of 15, in six days plus three days of lectures.  Having spoken with some Alpbach tutors since, the common advice seems to be "Make sure you come well rested and don't expect to sleep, it will involve 20 hour working days".

UKSEDS Annual Conference

 “Everything starts as someone’s daydream” (Larry Niven)

The UKSEDS (UK Students for Exploration and Development of Space) conference took place on Sat 31^st March and Sun 1^st April at the University of Kent, bringing together space students and enthusiasts from universities across the UK, to enjoy two days of talks, discussions and exhibitions. 

 

Professor Mark Burchell

After a welcome from Nancy Hine, the UKSEDS outgoing chair, Jeremy Curtis from the UK Space Agency brought us up to date with the latest statistics.  The UK space sector employs 24,900 people directly in an industry worth £7.5bn, which is currently growing at over 9% a year, contrary to the rest of the economy. By 2020 this is projected to account for £14bn with 115,000 jobs. With 57% of workers currently having a degree, this is one of the most highly skilled industries which will continue its growing need for strong science and engineering graduates.

Gyroscope at the Cité de l'Espace

They persuaded me to try the gyroscope...