55 years ago, humanity first journeyed into outer space when Yuri Gagarin completed an orbit of the Earth. Over 300 manned spaceflights later, we stand at a crossroads of the future of space exploration. With advances in robotics, scientists are rethinking the need of manned space mission. As major state-funded space agencies cut back on funding, private companies like SpaceX are filling the gap of astro-engineering. And in the face of future climate change scenarios, the once science fiction narratives of Moon or Mars colonization are moving closer to reality. Bringing together three top minds of science, astronomy, and engineering, our keynote discussion will explore the future of exploration of the last frontier.

Speakers:

Martin Rees
Emeritus Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics; Fellow of Trinity College, University of Cambridge; Life Peer of the House of Lords; former President of the Royal Society; former Gates Cambridge Trustee.

Carolin Crawford
Public Astronomer, Institute of Astronomy and Admissions Tutor, College Lecturer and Fellow, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge

Sarah Cruddas (moderator)
Space Journalist and Science broadcaster