Seminar: Next Frontiers in Moon and Mars Exploration

Name: Seminar: Next Frontiers in Moon and Mars Exploration
Start: 2024-12-11T12:15:00+01:00
Location: Nymble

Schedule

Wed, 11 Dec, 2024 at 12:15 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Nymble | Stockholm, ST

Welcome to our last seminar of the year! It is open for all, so bring your lunch and listen to an interesting lecture about how advancements in in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and space-based DNA sequencing can support a sustainable and long-term human presence on the Moon and Mars.
Speaker: Javier Martin-Torres, Department of Planetary Sciences, University of Aberdeen

Abstract:
A sustainable and long-term human presence on the Moon and Mars relies on developments in in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) and space-based biological technologies. This presentation explores the latest developments in these areas, focusing on how they address the logistical and environmental challenges. ISRU technologies enable the extraction and processing of local resources like water ice, regolith, and atmospheric gases into vital materials such as oxygen, fuel, and construction supplies, reducing dependence on Earth and supporting self-sufficient laboratories or colonies. Concurrently, space DNA sequencing advances allow for effective monitoring of astronaut health, biological research in microgravity and radiation environments, and potentially detecting extraterrestrial life. Through case studies and current projects, the talk demonstrates the synergistic impact of integrating ISRU and space DNA sequencing on mission sustainability and scientific progress. It also discusses the technical, logistical, and ethical issues of deploying these technologies beyond Earth. Ultimately, the presentation provides a comprehensive overview of how ISRU and space DNA sequencing are set to transform human exploration and habitation of the Moon and Mars, paving the way to a new era of space exploration.