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How Will Humanity Thrive on Other Planets?

Astronaut on Mars graphic

Event schedule details

Saturday 15 June

16.30-17.25

Event location details

The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, Victoria and Albert Museum

The advance tickets for this event have sold out but there will be drop-in spaces on the day.

Britain’s first astronaut Dr Helen Sharman hosts a discussion of the Earth technologies that could help us flourish beyond our home planet.

The Cold War Space Race spawned many technologies. Artificial limbs, water filtration systems and solar panels are just a few examples of so-called Space Technology Transfer - technologies developed for the space industry that found their way into terrestrial life.

But innovation also flows in the other direction. Could military and commercial technology from today help overcome challenges facing human settlement of the solar system?

Join Dr Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut and host of the Zero Pressure podcast, for an expert panel discussion exploring how the latest Earth technologies will help us flourish beyond our home planet.

Visitor information

Talks and discussions are intended for an adult audience and are most suitable for ages 14+.

This event is part of the Flourishing Futures talk series, shown at location number 5 on the Festival Map. The advance tickets for this event have sold out but there will be drop-in spaces on the day.

If you have an advance ticket, please arrive at the venue 10 minutes before the start time. Your ticket gives you priority access, however, as this is a free event we overbook to help ensure a full event and your space may be reallocated. Early arrival reduces this risk.

The event has step-free access and a hearing loop system.

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Event categories

  • Adults
  • Talks and tours
Astronaut on Mars graphic