AstrobiologyOU Space and Sustainability Workshop

~~28 March 2020~~ canceled
FFG, Sensengasse 1, 1090 Vienna

A lively policy workshop focusing on key aspects of space and sustainability.
(PLEASE NOTE: Due to the current situation caused by the Corona virus, this event is cancelled.)

Organizer

Open University's AstrobiologyOU is a multidisciplinary research group that address the scientific, governance and ethical challenges faced by astrobiology-related exploration missions, whilst investigating the feasibility of life existing elsewhere in the Solar System.

Content Description

This workshop will focus on key aspects of space and sustainability. During the event we will discuss the ethical, legal and policy aspects of a range of topics from the Space4SDGs agenda, technological inclusivity, and the protection of the scientific value of outer space in the face of 'new space age' challenges.

Program

Draft Programme

09:30 - 10:00 Welcome Coffee/Tea
10:00 - 10:30 Introduction
10:00 - 10:10 Opening Statement - Thomas Cheney, AstrobiologyOU
10:10 - 10:20 Opening Keynote – Dr. Stephan Mayer, FFG
10:20 - 10:30 Overview of workshop
10:30 - 13:30 Working Group Break-Out Sessions
10:30 - 11:10 1st Working Group Session
11:10 - 11:50 2nd Working Group Session
11:50 - 12:10 Coffee/Tea Break
12:10 - 12:50 3rd Working Group Session
12:50 - 13:30 4th Working Group Session
13:30 - 14:00 Plenary
13:30 - 13:40 Closing Keynote – TBD
13:40 - 14:00 Closing Statement – Thomas Cheney, AstrobiologyOU
14:00 - 15:00 Buffet Lunch

Working Group Sessions

Mega Constellations and Sustainability
Christopher D. Johnson, Space Law Advisor, Secure World Foundation
Heidi Thiemann, PhD Researcher in Astronomy, AstrobiologyOU
Space, Sustainability and Ethics
Christopher J. Newman, Visiting Professor in Space Law, AstrobiologyOU
Sustainability and Space4SDGs
Alessandra Marino, Senior Research Fellow, AstrobiologyOU
Planetary Protection and Sustainability
Thomas Cheney, Lecturer in Space Governance, AstrobiologyOU

Target Audience

Those that work in the space sector or the sustainability sector. Those in Vienna to attend UN COPUOS Legal Subcommittee.

Participant Information

Free event with lunch buffet. The workshops will be conducted under the Chatham House rule, although a summary of the discussions will feed into a report so that the wider community can benefit from our work. If interested to attend please email astrobiology@open.ac.uk for invitation to register.

Contact Address

Lauren Napier, Event Manager
E-mail: lnapier@spacefaringcivilization.space