Microorganisms are everywhere on Earth's biosphere, from extremely hot volcanic springs to the human body. These tiny fellows will necessarily follow us as we explore space. Indeed, they will be crucial to our survival beyond Earth, as they play many important roles here. We will explore possible roles of microorganisms in space, with particular mention to space biomining. I will bring as an example my current research, including two experiments performed onboard the International Space Station. This research allowed us to learn more on how microorganisms could support humans in the establishment of space settlements, how we could keep the process sustainable, and how to apply this knowledge to terrestrial applications.

Dr Rosa Santomartino is a researcher in Space Microbiology and Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh (UK). She studies how microbes reacts and behave in space conditions, and how to use this knowledge to support human space exploration and its sustainability. During her research, she performed two biology experiments onboard the International Space Station: BioRock in 2019 and BioAsteroid in 2020/2021. The focus of her future research will be on waste recycling in space. During her research, she worked at NASA, Stanford University (California, US), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (France), "Sapienza" University of Rome (Italy) and UNAM (Mexico). She currently collaborates with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

The Asclepios project is a program of analog missions designed by students for students, under the mentorship of trained professionals. This interdisciplinary project unites students and scientists from all around the globe to achieve a common goal: successfully perform “do-it-yourself” space missions. It seeks to simulate short-term space missions on other celestial bodies, such as the Moon or Mars, thus paving the way to the future space exploration of our solar system. In this talk we will present the Asclepios missions to the public, highlighting the importance of organizing an international and student-centered analog space mission!

Veronica Orlandi is doing a Master in Physics at EPFL, with a Minor in Space Technologies. She finished her Bachelor in Physics at EPFL in 2020. She attended her high school studies in Milan with a double diploma EsaBac in Italian and French. Space has always been her passion, and she has attended numerous workshops and space conferences throughout her years of studies. She is currently the Project Leader and President of Asclepios.

Most of the people reading this will probably have a young story with Space but Loïc's one is recent. He joined Asclepios 2 years ago following his fascination for the beauties of the sky but didn't do much Space related research before. He now is a 21 years old Master Student in Biomedical Engineering thriving to make his contribution to the great advances Space research has to offer. He strongly believes that one of the first steps goes through Analog Missions, a reflection of what life could be out there but back here on magnificent planet Earth.

ESA and NASA host, Katy Haswell, talks about how she went from reading the news to presenting rocket launches, and what it's like to work as a TV journalist and presenter at the Guiana Space Centre alongside Mission Controllers and the operational teams. A useful talk for anyone interested in the media aspect of the space industry.

Katy Haswell is a journalist and TV presenter who is passionate about space. On Christmas Day 2021, she co-hosted NASA & ESA’s live coverage of the James Webb Space Telescope launch from the Guiana Space Centre, where she is a regular, presenting live shows during rocket launches and Astronaut launches from Mission Control, Moscow.
Katy started her career as a BBC Radio news reporter and went on to anchor the news on BBC, ITN and London Tonight. She has journeyed the world presenting travel shows such as CNN’s Artclub and the Globetrekker Pilot Guides.

How will we live elsewhere in the solar system? On Earth, natural resources for creating structures are abundant, but sending these materials up with us to the Moon or Mars is clunky and cost-prohibitive. Enter architect Xavier De Kestelier, who has a radical plan to use robots and space dust to 3D print our interplanetary homes.
He will be sharing his current projects and collaborations with NASA , ESA and Sierra Space envisioning new forms of human habitation in space.
Some useful links:

• Hassell Studios: NASA 3D Printed Habitat Challenge
• Hassell Studios: Moving to Mars
• YouTube: HASSELL + EOC presents MARS HABITAT

Xavier is Head of Design at international design practice Hassell, where he leads design technology and innovation across all disciplines and regions. For the last decade, Xavier has been an industry leader in the field of parametric design, digital fabrication and additive manufacturing. Prior to joining Hassell, he was Co-head of Foster+Partner’s internal research and development team where he worked on the Apple Headquarters, Kuwait and Beijing Airports, Yachtplus and the NBK Headquarters.

Modern slavery is a global issue affecting an estimated 40 million people; around a quarter are thought to be subjected to modern slavery in sectors connected to environmental degradation, and climate change. At the Rights Lab we have pioneered the application of satellite data to investigate sectors connected to what is termed the "modern slavery-environmental degradation-climate change nexus". In this talk, we will explore a variety of application of satellite data to support SDG 8.7, which aims to end modern slavery by 2030, such as: fish-processing in Bangladesh, tree loss in Mozambique, brick-manufacturing in South Asia, and tree loss globally.

Dr Bethany Jackson is a Senior Research Fellow in the Rights Lab's Ecosystem and the Environment Programme. Her work focuses on the application of remote sensing and mixed-methods to investigate the connections between modern slavery, environmental degradation and climate change. Her work has encompassed a number of sectors, including fish-processing, aquaculture, fishing, forests and agriculture; focusing on a number of exploitative labour typologies such as forced labour and forced marriage. Her current interests lie in the investigation of the nexus in forest environments, and she has an interest in the ethical implications of using such data to investigate modern slavery.

How do we help people of all backgrounds engage with the extraordinary story of our planet? Over the past 20 years, Earth Scientist and presenter Dr Anjana Khatwa has travelled the world in search of remarkable rocks that reveal the deep history of our Earth. She will reveal some of the places she loves and the techniques she uses to help people fall in love with the hidden stories of rocks under our feet.

Anjana has worked as a learning and engagement professional in the natural heritage sector for over twenty years. For 15 years she developed and managed the education and learning programme for the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. She now works as the Engagement Lead for Wessex Museums where she creates strategic change to bring historically excluded audiences into four partner museums.
Anjana has been a powerful leader in raising the profile and accessibility of geosciences to audiences of all backgrounds through policy work but also on television as an expert contributor and presenter for over 12 years. She has worked tirelessly throughout her career to raise awareness and create systemic change to address the lack of diverse faces in green spaces. In recognition of her work, Anjana has been awarded the Royal Geographical Society Geographical Award, Geological Society of London R.H. Worth Award and also the National Diversity Award for Positive Role Model in Race, Faith and Religion. She has also been longlisted for the prestigious Nan Shepherd Prize 2021 for underrepresented voices in Nature Writing for her book proposal entitled The Rock Whisperer.

Airbus would like to welcome you to the finale of our two student space competitions. The two presenters here with us today have faced three rigorous rounds of reviews and have been selected from a pool of 35 high calibre students to present innovative solutions on Space Debris Removal and Ocean World Exploration. The event will start with an introduction from Airbus graduates and experts on the importance of the chosen topics for the future of the space industry, followed by presentations from the two finalists and reception of the competition prizes.

David Gaudin graduated from ESTACA space system engineering school in France followed by an advanced master at ISAE-Supaero. He later joined the SEEDS Program and worked on the definition of a manned lunar outpost using ISRU methods to produce propellant in order to support human and robotic exploration. After an Airbus Defence and Space placement within Mars Sample Return – Earth Return Orbiter team, he joined the site of Portsmouth and is now working on the reliability of telecommunication and earth observation payloads. Aside from his technical activities, David is involved in UniCOM, the Airbus outreach association, and leads the student competition team.

Michael graduated from the University of Bristol with a Masters in Aerospace Engineering, and joined Airbus Defence & Space on the Graduate Development Programme in January 2021. As part of his core work, he works on site in Stevenage in the Future Payload Products team on the design of future telecomms payload processors to support next generation communications networks. Aside from his technical work, Michael chairs the Airbus university outreach organisation to deliver social value to local communities and ensure a strong talent stream into Airbus.

Leadership lessons for those in the early stages of their career (and a few things that the rest of us have learned and forgotten!)

Matt Davies is an executive coach and leadership consultant who specialises in developing great leaders and engaged teams. Having spent a decade and a half in financial services, he left to set up his own consultancy in 2021. In his spare time, he coaches football and American Football and is both Head Coach of the Scotland u19 and Assistant Head Coach of the GB Mens Senior American Football teams.

Although our Sun is usually described as an ordinary star it regularly throws out huge eruptions. These eruptions are launched into space and race across the solar system at speeds of up to several million miles an hour. When Earth-directed, they can cause magnificent displays of the aurora however, these eruptions cause disruption to our daily lives due to our ever-growing dependence on technology. This talk focuses on how scientists observe the Sun’s outer atmosphere from space and the methods scientists use to predict solar activity to minimise the disruption that solar eruptions cause to our everyday lives.

Stephanie is a postdoctoral research fellow in space weather based at UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory. Her research focuses on the evolution of the Sun’s magnetic field in the lead up to solar eruptions and the release of solar energetic particles. Solar eruptive events can lead to spectacular displays of the aurora but also pose a severe radiation risk to crewed space flight severe and cause significant disruption to our technological systems on Earth.
To mitigate the risks posed by these solar eruptive events we need to be able to predict them before they occur, which is currently very difficult. By understanding the magnetic evolution of these source regions before they produce eruptive events can help improve the warnings currently provided by space weather forecasting.
Alongside her research she is actively involved in public engagement and outreach activities, which includes giving talks, demonstrations, and space related activities. She is also a Guest Lecturer and Resident Astronomer for various cruise lines.

What do we mean by the militarisation and weaponization of space? How concerned should we be about space warfare? What do organisations such as the US Space Force and UK Space Command actually do? This talk will explore the many aspects of defence and security in space, including international politics and strategy, legal considerations and the implications for civil and commercial use of space.

Ali Stickings is Space Strategy Lead at Frazer-Nash Consultancy, where her role includes business development and project delivery across the space, defence and government sectors. She was previously Research Fellow for Space Policy and Security at the Royal United Services Institute. Her expertise includes military space programmes, space warfare, counterspace capabilities, space situational awareness, arms control and the intersection of space and missile defence. She has published widely, regularly provides expert commentary to the media and is a frequent speaker at international conferences.

During their degree, students have to complete a lengthy individual and/or group project, and space-related topics are rarely available. Space employers often highlight a lack of skilled graduates, and students, a lack of opportunities to get experience, so the SpaceProjects.uk scheme was created to provide students with an opportunity to gain space experience before they graduate by matching them with a space company for their degree project. This presentation will outline how the scheme works, the benefits to both students and companies, how they can get involved, and an overview of the successes to date and plans for the future.

Jacob created SpaceProjects.uk to provide university students with space experience before they graduate by linking them with industry for their degree projects. He is also managing the redevelopment of SpaceCareers.uk, to provide an updated service tailored to the needs of employers and job hunters. Before this, Jacob was Chair of UKSEDS, a position in which he oversaw the provision of opportunities and resources for students across the UK to engage with the space community, learn about the sector, and develop key skills. Jacob is a Graduate Engineer at SSTL and has an MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering from Cranfield University.

Dr Zalli earned her PhD in University of Leicester, UK. Her research focused on NIMA (Never In Mitosis Gene A)- Related Kinase 8 mutated in the human cystic kidney disease nephronophthisis. Dr Zalli carried her postdoctoral research training at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine where she focused on podosome patterning in Osteoclasts and Bone Resorption In Vivo and In Vitro. Following her postdoctoral training at Harvard, Dr Zalli worked as lecturer where she directed multiple courses for graduate students in cancer cell biology in collaboration with world-class scientists in cell biology. She was also the director of Advanced Graduate Preclinical and Clinical Research Seminar and the director of Biotech Journal Club. Influenced by the President of United States, Barack Obama, at Harvard, Dr Zalli joined Harvard Professional Government where she led multiple important events such as Harvard Lectures That Last and Harvard Leadership Conference. Dr Zalli later moved at the University of Oxford where she was the academic lead for MSc course in Precision Cancer Medicine and collaborated with Nobel Prize Winners. Dr Zalli is also the Co-founder of We Speak Science, a non-profit institution, the aim of which is to increase awareness of science with a focus in space and medicine in the USA and Europe. Through We Speak Science, Dr Zalli co-founded the charity called “Aferdita Ime”, in collaboration with other world-class oncologists and scientists whose aim is to help cancer patients through psycho-social support and counselling.

Space Hero inspires community, collaboration and innovation on Earth, engaging with anyone, anywhere, without boundaries, as only the experience of space exploration can do. Deborah Sass and the creator & co-founder, Thomas Reemer embark on this business journey together to democratize space training and travel. Space Hero is the world's first-ever global competition series where contestants compete for a $55-million, 10-day trip to Space, the biggest prize ever awarded on TV. The competition for this once-in-a-lifetime journey will be open to anyone over 18 who speaks English, and the pre-registration process is now available. How did it all start? Where is Deborah & the team heading towards and what are the challenges they had to go through to come to where they are today - This is where you will find out how they are going to encourage participants and fans to be inspired by the wonder of Space travel to create change at home. Understanding Space means understanding Earth!

Deborah Sass is a seasoned entertainment industry executive with a unique global perspective on doing business in today’s ever-interconnected world. She is a member of the World Economic Forum representing the Global future council on space. Deborah engaged formally with the Space Industry in 2016 as a Founding Partner and Co-CEO of Space Hero, the first world-wide movement aiming to democratize Space through a biennial global competition creating the first opportunity for a non-astronaut, non-billionaire to go into Space. Throughout the years she has worked with some of media and technology’s biggest names, including Mirror Group Newspapers, The Times Newspapers in the UK and Channel 9, 7 & 10 in Australia. Before embarking on her TV pursuit, she also worked in radio at both 96 FM & 2GB in Australia. After returning back to the UK she secured roles working with all things Digital & Entertainment with clients such as Amazon, iTunes, Shazam and Spotify. While working within the Entertainment Tech industry, Deborah has structured many international strategic partnerships with global brands, developed profitable business relationships with key stakeholders and helped raise capital. She is also a co-founder of 500FemaleFounders.

Work (academic or industrial) can be overwhelming due to the quantity of the work and the difficulty in planning work that is unfamiliar and lacking clear boundaries. Plus, with so many opportunities, it can be easy to take on too much and end up overcommitted. This short interactive seminar introduces 3 simple techniques to help take charge of work and make sustained progress while minimising the chance of burnout.
The seminar will cover:

• Goal-setting to create focus for work
• Prioritising multiple demands to maintain focus on what’s truly important
• Taking charge of each week to make sustained, manageable progress

Since 1993 Rosie has worked with organisations designing and delivering training, research, consultancy and 1:1 coaching. Previously working at Sheffield Hallam, St Andrews and Edinburgh Napier Universities, she specialises in Team Working, Communication, DiSC® Behavioural Profiling, Team Leadership, Resilience and Motivation.
Since 2013 she works with Fistral developing and delivering a suite of courses specifically aimed at Space Operations staff: spacecraft controllers (ISS, Galileo), preparing for launch (LEOP) and technical officers within ESA. Courses include: Team Management and Leadership; Professional Communication; Influencing; Leading Teams in Challenging Circumstances; Time Management; Decision-Making in Stressful Circumstances and The Effective Teamworker.