At this months Meet Up we'll be exploring and examining the theme 'Ethics Beyond Our Planet', discussing topics such as:

• How are we managing the spread of human-created problems into space?
• To what end should resources be diverted from Earth-preservation to space exploration?
• How can space exploration help our terrestrial situation?

Please note the below event information:

5.00pm - Networking in the John Britten Foyer - University of Canterbury

5.30pm - Presentations commence in E8 Lecture Theatre, Engineering Core

Parking - Available on Campus or on Creyke Road

Tickets: To help cover our organisation's running costs, we are now charging $10 per ticket.  It's still free if you're an Associate or are live streaming. You can become an Associate via our website.

Online Option: For people that can't make it to the event, we will be offering a live webinar, so please register for that and select the Online Ticket option under ticket type . ZOOM LINK HERE

Planned Presentations :

Clear Skies in the Era of Satellite Megaconstellations

Dr. Michele Bannister, Planetary Scientist, Senior Lecturer, University of Canterbury

The advent of the build-out of massive satellite constellations is unpacking a broad range of issues around access and operation in near-Earth space. Fortunately, enthusiastic efforts are bringing together industry and academics around the world to consider the mitigation of visual and radio pollution associated with satellite constellations.

Space for Planet Earth Challenge - Leveraging Space For Climate Change

Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom, CEO and Co-Founder, SpaceBase Limited

SpaceBase will give a short recap of the Space for Planet Earth Challenge competition results - using satellite data to address climate change issues focusing on carbon sequestration and coral health. Two finalists, high school teams from Christchurch will present their machine learning and cloud- based solutions. Cashmere High Space Club will talk about how shrimp farms are likely affecting coral health globally. Christ College will present their platform focused on predicting coral bleaching.

Norm Setting In The New Space Era – The Role Of Government

Mike Asplet, Team Leader Policy, New Zealand Space Agency, MBIE

Over the past two decades there has been a rapid increase in civilian and commercial entities making use of outer space. This growing international interest in space poses challenges for establishing norms to manage the risks and benefits of space activities. This presentation will discuss the ways in which government influences the development of theses norms at both the international and domestic levels.

Global Space Ethics And Planetary Defense

Dr. Evie Kendal, Lecturer, Health Promotion, Swinburne University of Technology

Human interactions with space and celestial objects have previously been limited by what we can do, rather than what we should do. So-called ‘space races’ have often shown little consideration of the long-term ethical impacts of space exploration, or the potential dual-use dilemmas that the associated advancements in science and technology represent for global security. It has become apparent in recent times that increased human activity in space poses various legal challenges, leading to a drive to progress the field of space law. In this talk, Dr. Kendal will discuss the similar need to codify global space ethics review processes and suggest some possible methods for monitoring and evaluation in this area.

The New Aerospace Eng Minor Programme at the University of Canterbury

Dr Natalia Kabaliuk, Department of Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

The new Minor in Aerospace Engineering as part of the BE(Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Canterbury will provide aspiring students an enhanced pathway into the rapidly developing aerospace industry in Aotearoa New Zealand and especially Ōtautahi Christchurch. UC offers the only undergraduate Aerospace degree in Aotearoa, giving students early entry into the industry or towards further study at the postgraduate level. This talk will provide a brief overview of the structure of the Minor.

See you there!

Aerospace Christchurch

A special thank you to our Event Sponsor The University of Canterbury.

Please Note: 

The University of Canterbury will, as per our obligations, comply with the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order (No 3) 2021. This means that guests visiting UC will need to be COVID-19 vaccinated in line with the Vaccination Order requirements.