Media Release

Tuesday, 22 June 2004

South Australians can now get closer to space than ever before.

From June 27 to August 27, the state's three universities - Adelaide, UniSA and Flinders - will host the world's biggest gathering of space experts, with free public events and displays bringing home the wonder and excitement of space.

The visit of the International Space University's Summer Program to SA marks the first occasion the session has been conducted in Australia.

The program will see more than 160 space experts and 115 graduate-level students visit the state from around the world to engage in dynamic multidisciplinary debate and learn about space sciences, policies and industries.

A wide range of public events will give South Australians a unique opportunity to learn more about the breadth and depth of space-related work, and how it relates to their lives.

Free public events include lectures and panels involving some of the world's biggest names in space, such as astronauts, space vehicle designers, engineers and astronomers.

There will be a moon rock display, on loan from NASA, and a public demonstration of robots in action, designed by students attending the ISU program.

"The International Space University is at the pinnacle of international space education, and we are proud to be hosting its summer program here in Adelaide for the first time," says the Chairman of the ISU Adelaide organising committee, Mr Michael Davis.

"The potential economic benefit to South Australia from the event is estimated at more than $4 million. More importantly, this is a chance for South Australia and the nation to play a pivotal role in the world's biggest space education program," he says.

The nine-week study program is being run in our winter, as it is usually held in the northern hemisphere's summer.

The official launch of the ISU Adelaide program will be held at Bonython Hall, University of Adelaide, on June 28. (Admission by invitation only.)

FREE PUBLIC EVENTS

The following free events are open to the public:

June 29, 7.30pm - Distinguished Speakers Panel: "Space policy in different parts of the world, with an emphasis on the Asia Pacific region"
Brookman Hall, UniSA, City East Campus

July 1, 7.30pm - "The Columbia Accident Investigation Board" with speaker John Logsdon, a member of the investigation and Director, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University.
Centenary Building, Room C6-18, UniSA, City East Campus

July 6, 7.30pm - Distinguished Speakers Panel: "Services to remote areas: how can space help?"
Union Hall, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus

July 13, 7.30pm - International Astronauts Panel: "International astronauts: back to the Moon and on to Mars?"
Union Hall, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus

July 15, 7.30pm - Robot Competition: "Simulation of a planetary mission"
Brookman Hall, UniSA, City East Campus

July 19, 7.30pm - Distinguished Speakers Panel: "Space agencies: what priorities for the next decade?"
Brookman Hall, UniSA, City East Campus

July 27, 7.30pm - Distinguished Speakers Panel: "Space industry: where do we stand?"
Union Hall, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus

August 6, 7.30pm - Gerald Soffen memorial panel: "Astrobiology: search for the origins of life"
Union Hall, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus

There are also three "theme day" events, all held on July 27.

Members of the public can attend these theme days for free, but they must register to attend by visiting the program website: www.ssp04adelaide.com

July 27, 9am - Theme Day (all day): "Space and national security"
Brookman Hall, UniSA, City East Campus

July 27, 9am - Theme Day (morning): "Threats from Near Earth Objects (NEOs)"
Maths and Engineering Building, Room MG08, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus

July 27, 9am - Theme Day (afternoon): "Remote Sensing the Universe"
Maths and Engineering Building, Room MG08, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus