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Join us for a celebration of the Lunar and Space research undertaken in Milton Keynes and around the world. Find out what it takes to make “Living on the Moon” a reality in the next 50 years.
Our world-leading researchers in Planetary and Space Science at the Open University as well as special guest speakers and performers will be available to engage you in various activities and talks about the current research, answering any questions you may have about Space Exploration.
Agenda of Talks
17:00 to 17.30: Introduction to the event and Ballet performance
Prof Mahesh Anand will open the event and give an overview of the exciting lunar research that has taken place over the past year. He will then introduce international Ballet dancer – Erica Horwood and her partner. A Moon related ballet performance will be screened followed by a live performance.
18:00 to 18:30: Talk by Dr Kim Ennico -Smith
Dr. Kimberly Ennico Smith, recently retired from NASA, has designed and built instruments for ground, balloon, airplane, and space telescopes. She has served as the Project Scientist for the NASA/DLR SOFIA observatory, deputy Project Scientist on NASA's New Horizons Pluto fly-by mission, and deputy Project Scientist for NASA’s VIPER lunar volatiles rover. Her professional interests are space telescopes, rapid space mission development, detectors, optics, spectrometers, calibration techniques, science communication and STEM engagement.
19:00 to 19:30: Talk by Alessandra Marino - Who cares about Lunar Heritage?
Dr Alessandra Marino is Senior Lecturer in Geography and Environmental Studies at The Open University (UK) and core member of AstrobiologyOU, where she studies the ethical and cultural challenges of space innovation and research. She chairs the Expert advisory group for guidelines on Lunar Activities (EAGGLE) and her work is particularly focused on the governance of Sites of Scientific and Cultural Interest on the Moon. She has published on the use of satellite data in Indigenous communities in the Amazon, centering environmentalism in space law and the politics of environmental protection.
20:00 to 20:30: Talk by Prof Dave Rothery - The Moon and Mercury and close
Prof Dave Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at The Open University, lead Co-Investigator on ESA’s BepiColombo mission, and UK Lead Scientist for the Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer. With decades of experience in volcanology and comparative planetology, Dave will explore how impact craters, volcanic history, and surface evolution illuminate the shared, and diverging stories of the Moon and Mercury. |
