IAA Humans in Space Symposium, STS-127 Endeavour Launch

Human Space Flight takes center stage this week with the upcoming launch of Endeavour STS-127, and the '17th International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Humans in Space Symposium' in Moscow, Russia (C) on June 7-11. Organized by the State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation — Institute of Biomedical Problems, the event will feature several sessions dedicated to the memory of prominent Russian scientist academician Oleg Gazenko (1918-2007) (TL). Subjects to be covered at the symposium include living and working in space, preparation for future manned space flights to the Moon and Mars, and education / outreach activities. Monday's discussions will center on astronaut health issues, highlighted by Guenther Reitz's keynote lecture on Astronaut Radiation Safety in Interplanetary Missions. Lin Xiqiang will give a lecture Tuesday on the Future and Present of China's Human Space Program, while Wednesday will include discussions on space tourism and astrobiology / planetary protection. Endeavour STS-127, currently scheduled for liftoff on June 13, is the next mission to the International Space Station, humanity's laboratory for learning to live and work in space. The 7-person crew (BR) will deliver the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility and Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section to the ISS. NASA astronaut Tim Kopra will remain aboard the space station replacing Koichi Wakata, who will return to Earth with STS-127. According to the International Astronautical Federation, sister organization to the IAA, the total number of people to reach space will exceed 500 with the launching of STS-127's 4 rookie crew members. (Credit: IAA, NASA)

The Northern Center for Advanced Technology (NORCAT) will host this year's 6th Annual Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Symposium (PTMSS) on June 7-10 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The purpose of the conference is to synergize the space and mining sectors, and allow mining experts to network and collaborate with space scientists and engineers. This year's event will cover Solid Planetology, Resource Extraction and Utilization, and Commercialization with sessions on Mine Planning and Development and Commercial Missions in Space. NORCAT has been at the forefront of developing mining technology and advanced drills for subsurface exploration, specifically focusing on the Moon and Mars. Chairman of the PTMSS and Director of Innovation for NORCAT, Dale Boucher (L), advocates the development of space mining equipment necessary for the production of oxygen and water from resources on the Moon. Work conducted on the Moon can better prepare future human space missions to Mars and build a better understanding of how humans can survive harsh conditions in space. NORCAT will be conducting field tests in November on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i Island to test a rover application drill’s remote operation capabilities. The equipment is expected to land on the Moon after 2010.  (Credit: NORCAT, PTMSS)