AUSTIN (KXAN) — Exploring beyond our solar system could have lasting impacts here on Earth, and scientists, creatives and industry experts gather at the University of Texas at Austin this week to discuss the possibilities.
The 9th Interstellar Symposium runs October 12 through October 15 at the AT&T Conference Center at UT Austin. This year’s theme, “Distant Worlds, Neighboring Opportunities,” focuses on how the push to explore can change our world.
“Just as habitat engineering studies have benefits for improving living in harsh Earth environments; studies of culture, law, art, and governance here on Earth will have lasting impacts on crewed interstellar missions,” reads the symposium’s press release.
Presented by educational nonprofit Interstellar Research Group, the event is open to the public.
This year’s keynote speaker, Dr, Michael “Orbit” Nayak, focuses on how lessons learned at DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, could help in the planning of interstellar travel.
Other major speakers include author Les Johnson, who’s event Traveler’s Guide to the Stars is free and open to the public, UT researchers Kenneth Wisian, Mark Baumann and Don Blankenship.
The symposium also features tours of Firefly Aerospace’s Rocket Ranch in Briggs and a tour of UT’s Space Labs.
Tickets at the door range from $175 for students to $675 for general admission.
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