British Science Festival

Event details

FLY ME TO THE MOON

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Organisation:	University of Surrey
Collaborative organisations:
Date of Event:	Start Date: 10/09/2009 End Date: 10/09/2009
Time of Event:	Start time: 09:15 - End time: 13:00
Sponsors / Supporters:	AstroNet: The Astrodynamical Network
Event Summary:	After several decades of neglect the Moon is once again an important focus for space exploration. Join us to find out how lunar missions are designed using sophisticated new mathematical theory, and how research into novel technologies might radically change the way we send spacecraft to the Moon.
Audience level:	5. Adults with some knowledge of the topic
Event Category:	The Universe
Keyword:	Mathematics
Booking information:
Venue:	LT M, University of Surrey

Event Agenda

10/09/2009 09:15 - 09:30	Welcome Professor Mark Roberts - Department of Mathematics, University of Surrey	Welcome / Introduction

10/09/2009 09:30 - 10:15	From the Earth to the Moon (and beyond) … on a budget Dr Craig Underwood - Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey	Talk
	Surrey Space Centre and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd are recognized as world leaders in innovative low-cost space missions. They are now embarking on a program to revolutionise inter-planetary travel. The talk will review the history of Surrey’s activities in Earth orbit, and discuss the MoonLite mission – a proposed UK mission to orbit the Moon and place sensors in the lunar regolith.

10/09/2009 10:15 - 11:00	Setting sail for orbit Professor Colin McInnes - Dept of Mechanical Engineering, University of Strathclyde	Talk
	Solar sailing is a novel form of spacecraft propulsion which uses a large reflective film to push the spacecraft using the pressure from sunlight. The continuous force applied to the sail allows exotic new orbits to be achieved with a range of interesting practical applications. This talk will explore the physics of solar sailing, solar sail orbits and future mission applications.

10/09/2009 11:00 - 11:30	Break	Reception / Refreshment Break

10/09/2009 11:30 - 12:15	The Cassini orbital tour Professor Carl Murray - School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London	Talk
	The Cassini spacecraft has been in orbit around Saturn since July 2004. With the help of numerous gravity assists from Saturn's largest moon, Titan, the designers have produced orbital tours that satisfy the various goals of the mission. This talk will discuss the tour designed for the normal mission, the Equinox Mission, the Solstice Mission and orbits for newly discovered moons.

10/09/2009 12:15 - 13:00	Surfing the interplanetary transport network Professor Shane Ross - Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech	Talk
	The competing gravitational pull between celestial bodies creates a vast array of fuel-efficient passageways that winds around the sun, planets and moons. Space travel along these corridors would slash the amount of precious energy needed to explore and develop our solar system.

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