The British Interplanetary Society

The history and technology of ESA/ESOC operations and the opportunities to work in this exciting field. From the very beginning, to the EURECA platform, to the latest missions and a particular attention to the outstanding accomplishments of Rosetta and its lander Philae. Event took place on 16th February 2021. Speaker: Dr. Paolo Ferri - Head of Mission Operations, ESA (retired) Through almost four decades at the forefront of Europe’s voyages in space, Paolo Ferri went from Operations Engineer on the Eureca mission to Operations Manager of the four-spacecraft Cluster mission and then the Rosetta mission, followed by serving as Flight Director on Rosetta, Venus Express and Goce. His career has been capped off by eight years as Head of Mission Operations for the European Space Agency, overseeing all of ESA’s robotic mission operations.

Apollo 13’s planned target, the Fra Mauro region, was deemed so important that when that mission was unable to land there, it became the prime site for Apollo 14. Yet that flight almost didn’t make it there either. Following a launch delay, problems in docking with the Lunar Module, and last-minute issues with the landing radar which could have resulted in the first landing abort, the least experienced Apollo crew finally made it to the surface. Follow the triumphs and frustrations of Alan Shepard, Ed Mitchell and Stuart Roosa, as Jerry Stone continues his coverage of the 50th anniversary of each of the Apollo missions. Speaker: Jerry Stone (hosted by Alistair Scott) Jerry Stone is a Freelance Space Presenter. He gave his first space talk at school, over 50 years ago. Now he runs Spaceflight UK, and is widely acknowledged as an expert on the Apollo project. He is also an author; his latest book, “Find Out – Space Travel”, has been described as “suitable for 8-year-olds of all ages!”

Recording from Live Lecture and Q&A - 13th January 2021 The increasing connectivity and pervasiveness of information technology introduces a new dimension to space, intertwining it with cyberspace, giving also life to a new dimension in terms of threats. A completely new approach to risk management in space missions is required. Speaker: Dr. Stefano ZATTI Professor of Risk Management course, Sapienza University, Rome and past Head of ESA Security Office (ret’d)

A talk by Mark Hempsell on systems engineering and how it is applied in the Space industry. It questions whether the industry is wise to move too far from classical systems engineering theory. It was delivered to BIS-Italia on 21st June 2020 and it is one of a series of evening talks BIS-Italia started during the coronavirus lockdown that were conducted virtually. They were aimed at young professionals and Space enthusiasts in Italy to keep up their interest and connection to the industry.

A talk by Mark Hempsell looking at some issues regarding the Space Infrastructure that were raised by the Scorpion study. The talk considers the launch system infrastructure, the value of nuclear propulsion and the needed for standardised docking interfaces. It was delivered to BIS-Italia on 16th June 2020. It is one of a series of evening talks BIS-Italia started during the coronavirus lockdown that were conducted virtually. They were aimed at young professionals and Space enthusiasts in Italy to keep up their interest and connection to the industry.

D-Orbit- Logistics Solutions in Space: Lecture and Live Q&A “D-Orbit is a multinational space transportation company. Through the use of cutting edge flight and ground hardware and software we are able to provide responsive, precision on-orbit deployment to satellite owners and operators. This talk will explore how we deliver these near-term services as a step towards becoming a comprehensive on-orbit logistics company, supporting the need for in-space transportation, debris mitigation and manufacturing.” Speaker: Dr. Chris Brunskill, Head of UK Space Programmes at D-Orbit Dr Chris Brunskill is an electronics engineer specialising in small satellite systems and mission design. He obtained a Masters of Engineering degree in electronics and satellite engineering from the University of Surrey and a PhD in space robotics from the Surrey Space Centre. He has been responsible for the development and delivery of a multitude of CubeSat missions, focused in the creation of new satellite applications that utilise state of the art flight, ground and launch technologies for demonstration of new mission concepts. He is now responsible for creating missions that enable new capabilities for space logistics and services at D-Orbit UK. Chris is passionate about open, innovative technology development in the space sector. Livestreamed Question and Answer session on D-Orbit: 19:00 (GMT) Wednesday 25th November 2020 To watch this live question and answer session please open the URL below and register for your spot: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/d-orbit--logistics If you wish to make a comment or ask a question, please e-mail: [email protected]; and if possible, your question/comment will be put to the speaker during the Q&A session. Please be sure to include your name, and your location when submitting your question/comment.

Dawn Aerospace, founded in 2016 by graduates from Delft University’s ‘record-breaking Stratos II sounding rocket’ design team, is developing a radically different small launch vehicle to cater for the high frequency, dedicated, low-cost needs of the emerging small satellite market. Is Dawn’s rapidly reusable ‘gas and go’ spaceplane the answer?

Speaker: Jeroen Wink, CEO and Co-Founder, Dawn Aerospace Lecture and Live Q&A session on 28th Oct 2020 at 1900 GMT Dawn Aerospace, founded in 2016 by graduates from Delft University’s ‘record-breaking Stratos II sounding rocket’ design team, is developing a radically different small launch vehicle to cater for the high frequency, dedicated, low-cost needs of the emerging small satellite market. Is Dawn’s rapidly reusable ‘gas and go’ spaceplane the answer? Jeroen Wink is the CEO and Co-founder of Dawn Aerospace. He obtained his MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Delft University of Technology, with his thesis focused on the development of disruptive spacecraft propellant. Jeroen led the DARE team of 40 engineers in the Stratos II sounding rocket project, successfully designing and executing its record-breaking launch. He now heads teams across both the Netherlands and New Zealand, designing, building and integrating high performance green bi-propellant propulsion products for small and large satellites. The company is delivering the world’s first alternative to hydrazine-based propulsion products and is in the development of a fully reusable “gas-and-go” space plane, for small payload launches. Livestreamed Question and Answer session on Dawn Aerospace: 19:00 (BST) Wednesday 28th October 2020 To watch this live question and answer session please open the URL below and register for your spot: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/the-development-of-dawn If you wish to make a comment or ask a question, please e-mail: [email protected]; and if possible, your question/comment will be put to the speaker during the Q&A session. Please be sure to include your name, and your location when submitting your question/comment. If you wish to watch this Q&A after it finishes, please open the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0emGnvGhiJs where a recording/s will be available.

Solar Orbiter: Lecture and Livestream Q&A Speaker: Ian Walters

Solar Orbiter: Lecture and Livestream Q&A Speaker: Ian Walters Recorded: 1st October 2020 ________________________________________ As Project Manager for the Solar Orbiter spacecraft at Airbus Defence and Space, Ian will describe some of the technical and programmatic challenges which led to its successful launch from Cape Canaveral in February this year. Ian Walters has worked for Airbus since 1982. He is currently the Project Manager for Solar Orbiter, which launched on 10th February 2020 and is now performing perfectly in space. He has previously held positions of CTO for Galileo Industries (the company responsible for developing the Galileo Navigation System for the EU) and Airbus VP for Navigation Systems in Munich. He was also Engineering Manager for the Rosetta Platform and Project Manager for the JWST Mid Infra-red Instrument (MIRI). He lives in Cambridgeshire with three teenage children, and teaches Karate in his spare time, holding the rank of 5th Dan Livestreamed Question and Answer session: Solar Orbiter: with Ian Walters (hosted by Alistair Scott) 7pm (BST) Wednesday 7th October 2020 To watch this live question and answer session please open the URL below: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBritishInterplanetarySociety/live If you wish to make a comment or ask a question, please e-mail: [email protected]; and if possible, your question/comment will be put to the speaker during the Q&A session. Please be sure to include your name and your location when submitting your question/comment. If you wish to watch this event after it finishes, please open the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM7jAxkaP9LKMM2C88xXHPg where a recording/s will be available

‘Ever Decreasing Circles’ – An Introduction to Spacecraft Mission Orbits Speaker: Dr. John Davies, FBIS Recorded: 8th August 2020 Dr. John Davies will introduce some basic concepts of spacecraft orbits and then go on to explore the pros and cons of each for various types of scientific missions. Although Earth observation, communications and navigation satellites will be mentioned, the talk will concentrate on orbits for astronomical spacecraft. These range from the Hubble Space Telescope in its low Earth orbit to the flotilla of complex astronomical missions at the L2 Lagrangian point which will be joined by the James Webb Space Telescope next year. John Davies is an astronomer at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh. He has worked with several astronomical satellites, including the Infra-Red Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), and used many large ground-based telescopes for his research programme on comets and asteroids. John is the author of five books, including Astronomy from Space which reviews the design and operation of orbiting observatories. He joined the BIS in the early 1970s. ________________________________________ Livestreamed Question and Answer session: ‘Ever Decreasing Circles’ – An Introduction to Spacecraft Mission Orbits Speaker: Dr. John Davies, FBIS (hosted by Alistair Scott) 7pm (BST) Wednesday 2nd September 2020 To watch this live question and answer session please open the URL below: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBritishInterplanetarySociety/live If you wish to make a comment or ask a question, please e-mail: [email protected]; and if possible, your question/comment will be put to the speaker during the Q&A session. Please be sure to include your name and your location when submitting your question/comment. If you wish to watch this event after it finishes, please open the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM7jAxkaP9LKMM2C88xXHPg where a recording/s will be available

Recording of Livestreamed Question and Answer session: Astrobiology. Speaker: Michael Franks (hosted by Alistair Scott) 7pm (BST) Wednesday 12th August 2020

Speaker: Dr. John Davies, FBIS Live Streamed Question and Answer Session (hosted by Alistair Scott) 7pm (BST) Wednesday 2nd September 2020 Dr John Davies will be available to answer questions on the subject of ‘Ever Decreasing Circles’ – An Introduction to Spacecraft Mission Orbits. John Davies is an astronomer at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh. He has worked with several astronomical satellites, including the Infra-Red Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), and used many large ground-based telescopes for his research programme on comets and asteroids. John is the author of five books, including Astronomy from Space which reviews the design and operation of orbiting observatories. He joined the BIS in the early 1970s. If you wish to make a comment or ask a question, please e-mail: [email protected] and if possible, your question/comment will be put to the speaker during the Q&A session. Please be sure to include your name, and your location when submitting your question/comment. If you wish to watch this event after it finishes, please open the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM7jAxkaP9LKMM2C88xXHPg where a recording/s will be available

Astrobiology: Lecture and Livestream Q&A Speaker: Michael Franks Recorded: 13th July 2020 A brief history of Astrobiology is highlighted in this talk starting with the first astrobiologist Giordano Bruno who was a contemporary of Galileo. Bruno taught that there was a multitude of life on many worlds. Bruno was burnt at the stake. We then move onto “What is Life?” We analyse the definition used by NASA and considers the Drake Equation – how many intelligent civilisations there may be in the Galaxy. The Fermi Paradox will be addressed and why, if the Universe has existed of over 13 billion years, and contains billions of worlds, we have not detected any signs of alien intelligence. The talk finally considers whether there is Life can be found in other places in the Solar System such as the moons of Jupiter and the other outer planets. How we might find life on exoplanets? Livestreamed Question and Answer session: Astrobiology: with Michael Franks (hosted by Alistair Scott) 7pm (BST) Wednesday 12th August 2020 To watch this live question and answer session please open the URL below: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBritishInterplanetarySociety/live If you wish to make a comment or ask a question, please e-mail: [email protected]; and if possible, your question/comment will be put to the speaker during the Q&A session. Please be sure to include your name and your location when submitting your question/comment. If you wish to watch this event after it finishes, please open the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM7jAxkaP9LKMM2C88xXHPg where a recording/s will be available

The BIS Moon Suit. Speaker: Stephen Abs Wisdom Lecture and Live Streamed Question and Answer Session Stephen Wisdom, as a renowned prop maker and historian, made the full size replica of the British Interplanetary Society’s 1950s Lunar Suit which is on permanent display at The National Space Centre in Leicester. In his talk he will speak about his fascination in the ‘how?’ of history, the nuts and bolts, the engineering and the mechanics by which the adventurers and explorers of the past made their great journeys. He will tell how he, in effect, had to ‘become’ the designers, Harry Ross and Ralph Smith, to find and incorporate the materials and technologies that were around at the time. Livestreamed Question and Answer session: The BIS Moon Suit. Speaker: Stephen Abs Wisdom (hosted by Alistair Scott) 7pm (BST) Wednesday 22nd July 2020 To watch this live question and answer session please open the URL below: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBritishInterplanetarySociety/live If you wish to make a comment or ask a question, please e-mail: [email protected]; and if possible, your question/comment will be put to the speaker during the Q&A session. Please be sure to include your name, and your location when submitting your question/comment. If you wish to watch this event after it finishes, please open the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM7jAxkaP9LKMM2C88xXHPg where a recording/s will be available

Part 9, The surprising worlds Dan didn't visit by Bob Parkinson

Part 8, Beyond the Pale - Dane Dare after The Eagle by James Bacon

The BIS Moon Suit. Speaker: Stephen Abs Wisdom Live Streamed Question and Answer Session Livestreamed Question and Answer session: The BIS Moon Suit. Speaker: Stephen Abs Wisdom (hosted by Alistair Scott) 7pm (BST) Wednesday 22nd July 2020 Stephen Wisdom, as a renowned prop maker and historian, made the full size replica of the British Interplanetary Society’s 1950s Lunar Suit which is on permanent display at The National Space Centre in Leicester. In his talk he will speak about his fascination in the ‘how?’ of history, the nuts and bolts, the engineering and the mechanics by which the adventurers and explorers of the past made their great journeys. He will tell how he, in effect, had to ‘become’ the designers, Harry Ross and Ralph Smith, to find and incorporate the materials and technologies that were around at the time If you wish to make a comment or ask a question, please e-mail: [email protected] and if possible, your question/comment will be put to the speaker during the Q&A session. Please be sure to include your name, and your location when submitting your question/comment. If you wish to watch this event after it finishes, please open the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM7jAxkaP9LKMM2C88xXHPg where a recording/s will be available