Privatisation of Space

Mars One, a private, not-for-profit Netherlands company, plans to send four colonists on a one-way trip to Mars by 2025. The $6 billion trip – by their estimates – will be partly funded by a reality television program … if it ever gets off the ground (experts have serious hesitations). Richard Branson’s space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, is shrouded in a similar mix of grand dreams and legitimate doubt. Last year’s shuttle crash in the California desert was a reminder that recreational space travel is inherently risky … though Branson maintains it’s business as usual for his goal of allowing anyone with the financial means to visit space, to ‘experience the awe of seeing Earth from above’.

Throughout human history, fewer than 550 humans have been to space. Is all this about to change? What are the potential political, cultural and environmental impacts of space travel, funded and organised by corporations whose interests are commercially led? And could giant leaps into space result in smaller steps for mankind here on earth, when it comes to fixing the problem of climate change?

Welcome to space exploration, 21st century style.

Hosted by Angus Hervey, our panel includes Mars One finalist Dianne McGrath, space startup accelerator CEO Tim Parsons (delta-V) and space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman.

A good event starts great conversations. Here’s your chance to stay back a while and meet the guest speakers. Nibbles provided. Drinks at bar prices.