Stour Astronomical Society 
Professor Colin Pillinger CBE visit 1st April 2008
Colin Pillinger CBE is one of the most respected cosmoscientists in the UK.
He is renowned for leading the team that designed, developed and sent into space Beagle 2, the Mars exploration space craft.
His work in the world of space exploration has been recognised by many with Colin holding fellowships in several leading societies including The Royal Society, The Royal Astronomical Society and The Royal Geographical Society.
He is Professor of Planetary Sciences at the Open University.
Press release
Start of the presentation
A packed hall of eager astronomy fans
Webmaster Chris Strellis and Colin
Professor Colin Pillinger's talk concerned the past 50 years of space exploration. By use of archive photographs and newspaper cartoons Colin entertainingly informed everyone about Man's desire for space exploration from the launching of Sputnik, the desire to go to the Moon and the search for life on Mars.
Colin also tolds us about his work on processing and analysing lunar soil samples in the late 60s.
A significant part of the talk was of course about Beagle 2. Colin explained the requirements and function of the various analysis packages on Beagle 2 and the process of making the probe and getting it to Mars. He explained the dissapointment in losing contact with it shortly after separation from Mars Express. This was not helped by the timing of the landing coinciding with the tail end of the dust storm season on Mars.
Two DVD presentations were played showing computer simulations of what Beagle 2 would have done had it succesfully landed on Mars and also the probe designing process and TV footage of the launch and communication attempts.
Colin explained that the work gone into Beagle 2 was not lost and that great steps had been made to make portable and compact medical equipment for developing countries.
There are attempts at foot to launch another expedition to Mars but each proposed launch date seems optimistic and is also getting put back more and more. Colin explained how getting to Mars was very hard and that over half of the attempts to get there have ended in failure.
With the Japanese and Chinese looking at space, there is a new space race on. One target is a manned lunar base.
Colin then took various questions from the members where the general consensus was that the Goverment should fund space exploration rather than relying on private enterprise. The society members thanked Colin's excellent talk with a long period of applause.
Colin then signed his new book for members which was very well received.
Space is a Funny Place takes a sideways look at space exploration and scientific discoveries as seen through the medium of cartoons using the humour to lead into the more serious side of things. It is fifty years since the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, was launched. Even before the space race started, cartoonists were illustrating life on other planets and featuring comet apparitions. More recently, missions to the Moon, Mars and other planets have provided fertile ground for cartoon jokes, especially when something goes wrong.
MAIL ORDER
Please supply copy of Space is a Funny Place [individual copy - £15.00] @ £17.50 inc. post and packing to UK mainland address
To pay by credit card order by email to colin.pillinger@btinternet.com
or cheque with order should be made payable to CT Pillinger and sent to:
Prof Colin Pillinger, PSSRI, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
