Spacebots v. Spacemen

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik and the beginning of the space age, join us to get the lowdown on current plans for exploring our Solar System using robotic spacecraft and human space flight. Discuss the benefits of human versus robotic space investigation with our speakers in informal discussion groups as we face the final frontier.

Our horizons are ever expanding. Plans are afoot to make the Moon a base for further exploration, and robots have already gone to Mars. Humans are set to follow within the next 30 years, according to the experts.

Mike Healy and Ben Boyes introduce us to Bridget, a prototype European Mars Rover robot. See Bridget in action live, and watch her roving Tenerife, where the rocky terrain mimics that of Mars. Hear about the ExoMars mission Bridget was developed for, what Rovers will be doing and why.

Space scientist John Zarnecki draws on 30 years of space research. Where is current space exploration at and how do spacecraft navigate their way to planets including Saturn and its moon Titan?

So how will humans get further into space? Ask space medic Kevin Fong, who will describe the problems astronauts currently face and how they might be able to overcome them.

Have a look at a selection of real space food and a bona fide space toilet from the Science Museum collections to get an idea of everyday life in space...

This event is supported by EADS to mark the 50th anniversary of Sputnik, the first satellite.

Event organised by:
The Science Museum

Speakers

Ben Boyes, Mission Systems Engineer, EADS
Kevin Fong, space medic, NESTA Fellow
Mike Healy, Director of Earth Observation and Navigation Science, EADS
Doug Millard, curator, Science Museum
John Zarnecki, Professor of Space Science, Open University

Facilitator: Ali Boyle, curator, Science Museum