CAPCOM News – January 15, 2021

Test Firing the World’s Most Powerful Rocket

NASA is testing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s 212-foot-tall core stage — the tallest rocket stage the agency has ever built — with a Green Run Hot Fire test on Earth before launch day. Green Run is a series of eight tests that includes several first-time events for the world’s largest rocket stage, culminating in the first firing of all four RS-25 engines, the Hot Fire. Join virtually for this historic NASA event. The test, scheduled for 5 p.m. EST (with a two-hour test window) on Jan. 16, 2021, can be watched live on NASA TV at https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv/.

Click here for more details about the SLS Green Run Hot Fire test and NASA’s Artemis program. Download materials and activities to share the excitement of SLS and the Artemis mission

The ISU Adelaide Conference 2021: Friday 5 February – Saturday 6 February 2020

Theme: International Collaboration in Asia-Pacific Space Activities. Online – tickets $20 to $100 but two free sessions are available at the conclusion of the formal program.
Website: https://www.adelaide.isunet.edu/program
Call for Speakers: https://www.adelaide.isunet.edu/callfortalks (closes on 25 January 2020).

smarttraveller.gov.au Travel Update – United States of America

From 26 January 2021, if you’re flying to the USA you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of your departure, or proof that you have recovered from COVID-19. This applies to all passengers aged two years and older, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. COVID-19 remains a serious health risk. Various restrictions and public health measures are in place and vary by location. Monitor the Australian Embassy website for further COVID-19 related information (see ‘Local Contacts’).

As previously advised, widespread protests and demonstrations are likely to continue in the weeks ahead. Avoid areas where protests and demonstrations are occurring due to the continuing potential for disorder and violence. Follow the instructions of local authorities and abide by any curfews and stay at home orders (see ‘Safety’). Monitor the media for information and updates.

We continue to advise: Do not travel to the United States of America, including Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Read the full travel advice.

TRISH Post-Doc Space Health Fellowship Solicitation Closing Soon!

The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) is soliciting research proposals from postdoctoral fellows exploring space translatable health protections and performance optimization. Selected fellows will receive a stipend for salary support, an allowance for health insurance and funds for travel to related scientific meetings.

Applicants must submit research proposals together with an identified mentor and institution. Applications are due January 28, 2021. View the solicitation here.

Message from the COSPAR President (28 January – 4 February 2021)

Government Inquiry into developing the Australian Space Industry

The Australian Government has announced an Inquiry into developing the Australian Space industry  Broadly, the Inquiry will report on a number of activities, including:

• Development of space satellites, technology and equipment;
• International collaboration, engagement and missions;
• Commercialisation of research and development, including flow on benefits to other industry sectors;
• Future research capacity, workforce development and job creation; and
• Other related matters.

The Committee will focus on how the Australian Government can support and encourage the space industry while preserving and protecting the space environment.

Here are the Terms of Reference. Submissions to the Inquiry are due on 29 January 2021.

International Space University Discovery Day – 30 January

About this Event
Learn about the International Space University and talk about your higher education options in person online. Meet ISU faculty members, alumni and potential employers at our event! Tickets via Eventbrite.

Australian Space Agency Future SMLS Capability Consultation

The Australian Space Agency aims to grow and transform a globally respected national space industry. To achieve our broader goal of tripling the size of the space sector to $12 billion and creating up to 20,000 extra jobs by 2030, we are helping businesses participate in new local and global markets with funding and programs. We are consulting on the nature of current or planned near-term Australian space medicine and life sciences (SMLS) capabilities. This will help us develop an overview of the ambitions and plans of the Australian space industry and inform a roadmap for SMLS investment, collaboration and growth. Your information will also ensure opportunities align with the space industry’s current or planned activities, and shape other potential future opportunities for space access or funding.

Below you will find a link to an online consultation where you can provide input about the capabilities you are developing and the work you are undertaking in SMLS. You may also be aware of others working on SMLS in Australia or overseas, and you are encouraged to share this consultation link with them and your relevant networks.

The online consultation will be open for your input until midnight Canberra time, Sunday 7 February 2021. We look forward to your participation and ongoing engagement with this important and iterative process.

Future SMLS Capability Consultation: https://consult.industry.gov.au/space/future-australian-space-medicine-and-life-sciences

Monash University Disaster Resilience Initiative Forum

First, we extend New Year Greetings to you all during this challenging COVID environment and hope 2021 will bring forth a healthy and new normal. Following last year’s successful MUDRI Forum, our first for 2021 will again be an interactive format using Zoom.
Date & time: Tuesday 16 February, 2021 9.00am – 1.00pm

The Forum will include the 15th Professor Frederick ‘Skip’ Burkle Annual Keynote Lecture, presented by Mr Jonathan Abrahams who is based in the Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Unit in Health Security Preparedness Department of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme in Geneva, Switzerland.

This Keynote Lecture advances/carries forward the theme of working together for the health, safety and wellbeing of communities, highlighting the evolution and directions for health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM) and its potential applications in Australia and Oceania. The WADEM Oceania Chapter will co-host the Keynote Lecture.

We are honoured to announce Mr Abrahams as our Burkle Keynote Lecturer as he has played an instrumental role in global developments in Health EDRM over the past 10 years and brings the added benefit for us in that Jonathan is an Australian citizen with experience of working in emergency management in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

• The program includes:
  • A reflection on the process and direction of community resilience in the emergency and disaster setting, as we mark 10 years since the release of the influential COAG National Strategy for Disaster Resilience, in February 2011. This topic will include a panel-led discussion about the implications of the Final Report of last year’s Royal Commission for community resilience;
  • A panel-led discussion on how to better integrate health and primary health care with emergency management arrangements – a recommendation from last year’s Royal Commission; and
  • Highlighting a rich potpourri of current developments and innovations in the sector.

The detailed program and further details will be available on the MUDRI website at https://www.monash.edu/muarc/research/research-areas/home-and-community/disaster-resilience or by contacting Samantha Bailey.

Please register your interest in participating in this free, on-line Forum by emailing Samantha Bailey at Samantha.bailey@monash.edu. Once you register your interest, we will provide you with the details about how to access the Forum.

Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues.
Frank, Caroline, Dudley, Suzanne and Samantha

Virtual symposium on human spaceflight – bioastronautics@hopkins

You are cordially invited to attend a virtual symposium on human spaceflight, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, starting at noon EST. This is the first event of a new Special Interest Group at Johns Hopkins University, known as bioastronautics@hopkins. Expected speakers include physician and NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and N. Wayne Hale, Jr., Director of Human Spaceflight at Special Aerospace Services and former Space Shuttle Program Manager at NASA. Hale’s tenure as Program Manager included seven successful space shuttle flights. 

When: Wednesday, February 24, 2021, noon – 5 p.m., EST
Where: Microsoft Teams (a link will be forthcoming to those who RSVP)

The symposium will be the inaugural event for bioastronautics@hopkins, led by Mark Shelhamer, JHU Professor of Otolaryngology and former Chief Scientist of the NASA Human Research Program. This group will focus on bioastronautics, space medicine, and space life-sciences research, including habitat design and related engineering. Speakers will include Hale and Auñón-Chancellor, as well as faculty from various JHU organizations doing work in the field of human spaceflight. Johns Hopkins brings a broad range of expertise across several divisions, and plans to expand activities in this field of study, through its internal expertise and through collaborative efforts with other institutions.

This event is sponsored by the Commercial and Government Program Office in the JHU School of Engineering. A link through Microsoft Teams will be forthcoming to those who RSVP.

If you are interested in attending and have not responded already, please RSVP to lmclean@erg.jhu.edu. (RSVP is not mandatory or binding.) For more information about bioastronautics@hopkins, please visit the CGPO website.

One Planet – One Health

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