NEWS
' SPACE : THE FRONTIER OF HUMAN ENDEAVOUR '
SCIENCE ORATION EXAMINES THE CHALLENGES OF FUTURE SPACE EXPLORATION
INSET : DR MEGAN CLARK AC
Due to extended lockdowns and the uncertainty surrounding the challenges future restrictions would pose to hosting this event on campus , this year ’ s Scotch College Science Oration was delivered online , via webinar .
The 2021 Science Oration was delivered by Dr Megan Clark AC , the Chair of the Advisory Board to the Australian Space Agency .
Dr Clark obtained a Bachelor of Science , with Honours in Geology , from the University of Western Australia . She then went on to complete her PhD in Geology through the Queen ’ s University of Canada . As a geologist , Dr Clark began her career in mining . It should be noted that this was exploration mining , and the theme of exploration and making new discoveries underpins many aspects of Dr Clark ’ s career .
From 2003-2008 she worked at BHP , and from 2009-2014 she was the Chief Executive of CSIRO . During that five-year leadership role Dr Clark oversaw many projects regarding space , in particular those relating to infrastructure , which included collaborations with NASA .
In 2017 she led the government ’ s review into Australia ’ s space capabilities , and in 2018 was appointed the inaugural Head of the newly-formed Australian Space Agency . She is currently the Chair of the Advisory Board to that Agency .
In 2014 Dr Clark was made a Companion of the Order of Australia ( AC ) for eminent service to scientific research and development , strategic leadership roles ,
fostering innovation , and developing public policy regarding technological sciences . She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering . In 2019 she was awarded the prestigious Australian Academy of Science Medal .
The Oration presentations commenced with the School Captain , Nik Tsourvakas , recounting his experience of studying Science at Scotch ; in particular , the resourcefulness of his Physics teacher , who used discarded items to build a motor for remote teaching .
Ryan Ahl ( Year 12 ) went on to explain the valuable insights he gained from participating in the Biology Olympiad . Continuing with the Biology theme , Flynn Hopgood ( Year 11 ) presented his technology project , Covidcloud , that can monitor the number of people entering and exiting a venue . While this device is of particular significance during a pandemic , where social distancing and density limits apply , it has many possible future uses .
Dr Clark was here to speak about ‘ Space : the frontier of human endeavour ’. We use space every day , from GPS on our phones and in our vehicles , to satellite information gleaned to deliver weather forecasts . Space was once the realm of governments ; now it is becoming commercial .
As humans plan on returning to the Moon , and then travelling on to Mars , what challenges need to be overcome ? Communication is one such challenge . Everyone wants bandwidth , and if we are to set up a base on Mars , we may need to use lasers rather than a radio frequency beam . A laser can send a signal in a timeframe of
nine days , as opposed to nine weeks for a radio signal . I laughed as Dr Clark recounted an issue with an intermittent laser signal caused by a huntsman spider blocking the receiver here on Earth . Only in Australia !
Other challenges lie ahead , such as finding water , which can be used to make hydrogen gas and oxygen gas . Hence the target site for the lunar mission is at the South Pole of the Moon , specifically the Aitkin Basin . How will we extract this water once we find it ? Humans will need the right space suits to overcome the radiation we will be exposed to during future space exploration . At present , there is a delay in these suits . Rockets that can cope with a bigger payload will also be required .
Space exploration will involve a vast array of professionals , from doctors specialising in space medicine , to space lawyers writing the rules of how we will live and work in space . And what was Dr Clark ’ s advice for budding scientists here at Scotch who may wish to pursue a career in space ? ‘ Stick with the maths ’.
It seemed only fitting that on an August evening where Jupiter was clearly visible in the night sky , Dr Clark would end the Oration by telling us about future missions to Europa , one of Jupiter ’ s four largest moons . Below the icy surface of this moon lies an ocean world awaiting exploration for possible life . This inspired School Vice Captain , Alex Meggitt , to thank Dr Clark by showing us that he had his telescope at the ready to view Jupiter . Space : the future is out there !
MS PAULINE CARDWELL – SCIENCE AMBASSADOR
20 Great Scot Issue 163 – September 2021