My essay on the relationship between the fantasy of human space exploration – 2001 – and the reality – NASA – and whether humans will ever leave geostationary orbit again, is published in Overland, Autumn 2014.
Landing on the Red Planet
Very much looking forward to August 6, when, all going well, the Mars Science Lab (MSL) ‘Curiosity’ will land on Mars!
Canberra Deep Space Network (CDSN) Tidbinbilla will be at the forefront on the day as it will receive the first signals from the Mars Rover and hopefully we will know that all is well. Canberra DSN is holding an all day Mars Rover Landing Party and I will be there, catching up with the space tweeps from the original launch tweetup in November 2011.
“CDSCC: Mars Landing Party – Monday, 6 August 2012 – 3:31pm AEST Mars Science Laboratory – Entry, Descent and Landing
On Monday, 6 August, at 3:31pm, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex is set to receive signals from NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory rover ‘Curiosity’ as it lands on the surface of the red planet.
You are invited to join us for this historic event and enjoy with other fellow space enthusiasts, the excitement and drama as the spacecraft carrying the rover enters and descends through the Martian atmosphere, and then safely lands ‘Curiosity’. We might even see the first photos from the surface!”
Mars Rover Launch only a few days away
Just over a week until I attend the first ever CSIRO Tweetup as part of NASA’s launch of the Mars Curiosity Rover. This is going to be so fascinating.
From the CSIRO website: “The CSIRO Tweetup will provide @CSIROnews and @CanberraDSN followers with the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at CDSCC and speak with scientists and researchers. This CSIRO Tweetup will run for 24-hours and will include a “meet and greet” session to allow participants to mingle with fellow Tweeps and the people behind CSIRO’s and CDSCC’s Twitter feeds. Participants will get a special tour of CDSCC, hear from guest speakers, watch the launch and tracking activities, enjoy a telescope night-sky viewing (clouds permitting), and a tour of CSIRO Discovery Centre, plus more.”
Access to this site is normally restricted so this is a wonderful opportunity. I will definitely be writing something about this experience and will let you know where to find the piece when I do, so please check back!
NASA CSIRO Tweetup for launch of Mars Rover
This is big news. I am one of 50 tweeps selected to attend the first CSIRO tweetup ever to celebrate and watch live launch footage of NASA Mars Rover: Curiosity and take a behind the scenes look at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex.
The tweetup will take place over 24hrs from Fri Nov 25-Sat Nov 26 2011.
You can follow the event on Twitter: #CSIROTweetup
More news as it becomes available.