A new space race is beginning! But will it be safe?
Space travel, space exploration, the evolution of the world or; what now?
A joint event from ATSE and the University of Sydney Union University and Schools Club
Space travel, space exploration, the evolution of the world or; what now?
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Outer Space – it is getting crowded.
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Space – how it is becoming increasingly important to us.
The space age started less than 70 years ago, but since that beginning exploration of space has increased dramatically. Extraordinary discoveries have resulted from satellite missions to the Moon, other Planets and beyond the Solar System. However, the space around the Earth is now becoming very crowded. As we move to a high technology future there are lots of exciting prospects: communications; navigation; predicting weather; espionage; defence applications and so many more.
Are the risks and dangers worth it? New international strategies and agreements are now needed. Extraordinary discoveries have resulted from satellite missions to the Sun, Earth itself, the Moon, other Planets and beyond the Solar System. For Earth satellites increasingly provide imaging data and GPS and communication services which modern societies struggle to do without. Imagine Australia’s security, economy, and society without them.
Moreover, space industry is increasingly viewed as both vital to Australia’s security and one of the highest growth rate sectors, and so crucial to economic growth. Australia’s future thus depends very strongly on space, including satellite manufacturing and use. Yet solar activity and other space weather events, such as the pre-Space Age Carrington event, could remove our access to existing space assets with only a day’s warning, crippling global society. Our future thus contains many exciting prospects as well as risks: we indeed “live in interesting times”.
Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics
Anne Green has been a pioneer for women in science and is recognised nationally and internationally for her achievements in astronomy and telescope technology.
Professor Iver Cairns
Professor in Space Physics at the University of Sydney
Professor in Space Physics at the University of Sydney
Iver Cairns is Professor in Space Physics at the University of Sydney. He has over 30 years of experience in space physics, plasma physics, and space weather research. He is a Co-Investigator on NASA’s STEREO mission and on NASA’s two new SMEX missions, PUNCH and TRACERS. Iver’s leadership roles include with the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS), the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), and the Solar Terrestrial and Space Physics Group of the Australian Institute of Physics. Currently he is Chair of the Program Committee for the 2021 COSPAR Assembly in Sydney, as well as the longtime Co-Chair of the Australian Space Research Conference.
