Space is Big – Space is Public

Wednesday 3 October 2018, 13:30 – 16:00
Location: Bremen Conference Center – ÖVB Arena

Outer space. Vast expanses of the universe…over 4,500 experts will meet during the International Astronautical Congress 2018 (IAC 2018) to discuss the immense scope of the various space-related disciplines. Interested members of the public are also invited. On 3 October, German Unity Day, the conference organizers invite you to the “Public Day”. Visitors will meet and experience high-level representatives from science, politics, and industry, and experience a live-call to the International Space Station ISS.

The highlight event “Space is Big – Space is Public” is currently planned to begin at 13:30 with a roundtable discussion on “Space Safety”. The subject: How can space traffic be regulated? How to avoid collisions in outer space? The number of space objects in orbit is steadily on the increase. Along with the many satellites out there, space debris or junk has increased to about 750,000 objects larger than 1 cm! Sun storm and cosmic radiation from other distant sources are just some of the other hazards that dictate space weather and which impact the Earth’s climate and terrestrial technology causing disruptions and malfunctions in our power grids, etc. The discussion also includes “planetary defence systems”: These ensure early warnings about possible asteroid or comet impacts, and their avoidance or mitigation. Is playing billiards with comets an option we need to consider seriously?

As from 14:30, the audience will tune-in live to the International Space Station, ISS. The schedule currently includes a live session with Alexander Gerst, who will be the second ESA and first German commander of the International Space Station in the twenty years of its existence. The 42-year-old geophysicist has arrived on the ISS in June this year and will assume command in October.

At about 15:00, visitors will be able to get close-up to real astronauts. They will report on their experiences in outer space, taking enough time to answer questions from the audience.