Posted on 4th October 2021
Sustainable Space comes to Dublin
To achieve a sustainable future we need to reach for the stars
The Rediscovery Centre and Science Foundation Ireland along with world renowned experts will look at how space exploration can be more sustainable in a new era of technology and possibilities. In an online event taking place on the 9th of October, the Sustainable Space event will look at how the future of space can be more sustainable and highlight STEM and space travel can help us better understand and care for our own planet.
The Sustainable Space event will feature a schedule of astronomy experts to help bring this topic to life. The Rediscovery Centre will be joined by Dr. Niamh Shaw an Irish award-winning STEM communicator, Anna Taylor Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Dr. Niall Smith Blackrock Castle Observatory, Dr. Peter Gallagher DIAS Dunsink Observatory, and Áine Flood I-LOFAR. These speakers will explore the links between space and sustainability. They will highlight how STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and sustainability is influencing space exploration and they will identify opportunities for sustainability in space.
The keynote speaker for this unique event is Dr. Peter Martinez. Dr. Martinez is the Executive Director of the Secure World Foundation, which works with governments, industry, international organisations, and civil society to achieve the secure, sustainable, and peaceful uses of outer space. Prior to joining Secure World Foundation, he chaired the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities that negotiated a set of international consensus guidelines to promote the safety and sustainability of space operations.
Ali Knight Lead Education Officer at the Rediscovery Centre said “Space offers amazing opportunities for sustainable innovation. Space missions are by necessity resource efficient; as astronauts can only bring a limited amount of supplies onto the spacecraft they have always applied circular economy principles and are experienced in keeping materials in circulation for as long as possible. At our Sustainable Space event, we will explore these principles and have frank conversations investigating how we can ensure the long-term sustainability of space and how space can help to secure sustainability on Earth. The Rediscovery Centre is delighted that such a high calibre of speakers from all aspects of Astronomy have agreed to join us on the 9th of October.”
The Sustainable Space event was created to get Irish people of all ages talking about STEM, sustainability and space. The topics and discussions are designed to energise attendees to think about space travel in the context of sustainability. They will also be encouraged to dream big and will get a glimpse into what a future career in space exploration would be like.
There are a limited number of tickets available for this virtual event on Saturday 9th of October from 11.30am and they are free to book at rediscoverycentre.ie/events
