Why should we care about space science? - with Anu Ojha

What's the past, present and future of space science? And why should we invest in it?
Watch the Q&A (exclusively for KZbin Channel Members) here: • Q&A: Why should we car...
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This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 20 January 2024, in collaboration with the UK Space Agency.
In this talk, Professor Anu Ojha OBE from the UK Space Agency explores the discoveries made through applications of space science, climate change and engineering and how they have changed humanity's perspectives of our position in the universe, and ask what difference space, science and technology have made to our everyday lives. Has it been worth all the money spent when facing so many challenges here on Earth? What science was British astronaut Tim Peake doing on the International Space Station (ISS) during his six-month mission there from 2015 to 2016? And will Mars ever be a home for the human race?
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00:00 Space - so what?
4:38 A demonstration of how rocket propulsion works
11:27 The largest rockets used in space
14:20 The three types of space science
15:13 Astronomy - the Hubble and JWST
18:41 Space exploration
28:33 How to keep humans alive in space
35:13 Looking at an astronaut’s pressure suit
38:29 Exploration with robotic systems
41:54 Using thermal infrared cameras to look at Earth
46:54 How space affects our lives
50:27 What’s the future of space science?
53:21 The challenges of orbital collisions and space debris
56:09 Space is becoming more competitive
57:44 The story of Mars
1:04:15 Why space science matters
1:07:15 The international future of space exploration
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Anu Ojha OBE is the Director of Championing Space at the UK Space Agency, responsible for overseeing the Agency’s inspiration and outreach activities, its international relationships and ESA policy teams, and leading on how we engage with audiences on the growing importance of space.
Anu has worked in roles within a range of space and science organisations, including as a Director of the UK National Space Centre, a member of STFC Council and a member of the European Space Agency Human Spaceflight and Exploration Science Advisory Committee (HESAC). Anu previously led the UK National Space Academy which, since its launch in 2008, has trained more than 6,000 UK teachers, with more than 65,000 secondary, further education and international University students participating in its masterclasses across the UK and Europe and in China, the UAE and South Africa. He also teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate level in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester.
Anu was Principal Investigator for the Astro Academy Principia educational experiment programme conducted by Tim Peake aboard the International Space Station in 2016. He has worked with ESA as part of the team developing the high-level science strategy which underpins the agency’s ambitions for human and robotic exploration of the Moon and Mars over the next two decades and has also supported the Rosetta, Mars Express and SOHO missions. Prior to his space career, Anu was a Physics teacher, Assistant Headteacher at the largest school in England and National Lead Practitioner (Physics) for the UK Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. A lifelong lover of aviation, he is a current skydiver with nearly 1500 jumps and was involved as a skydiving and science analyst for Felix Baumgartner’s Red Bull Stratos stratospheric jump programme.
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[@mrp8811]

best RI presentation I have seen to date. Learned more from Professor Ojha in one KZbin clip than all of my secondary school years called science lessons.

[@mrp8811]

its true. would have loved it if he were my teacher

[@JohnClulow]

A wonderful, informative video with beautiful graphics and engaging narration. This is, hands-down, _the best_ and most inspirational video I've yet seen on KZbin channels like The Royal Institution. Very well done, and thank you! Brilliant !!

[@ShonMardani]

Nice video from the satellite, where is the Sun or the Moon?

[@JohnClulow]

the "sun" and the "moon" don't exist; they are just Disney-invented constructs, as I'm pretty sure you already know.@@ShonMardani

[@tech1no2log]

Great lecture! Obviously extremely enthusiastic about the subject. Really enjoyed it!

[@TheSuperiorQuickscoper]

Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock would be perfect for a Ri lecture about space science. Hope she goes to space someday!

[@JohnBailey39]

First astronaut to oscillate with excitement beyond the speed of light.

[@LEDewey_MD]

Inspirational! ❤

[@SynodicDelta]

Enjoyable. Would like to catch one of his lectures in person sometime!

[@donainscough6598]

As always Anu, that was absolutely brilliant, well done.

[@GordonShuffell]

It would be a good lecture but the music and the other sounds make it hard to listen to what he is actually saying

[@DrDeuteron]

RI has terrible audio regularly. It’s a shame.

[@Ripen3]

Mine is stuck at 240p for some reason. Otherwise I liked it

[@willemsmit9885]

I think it's the auto level on the mic

[@user-uu8wh9du1d]

I just prepared my tea-things for amazing space cruise. My astronomy lore is pretty hollow, but browsing Ri gives me wings and inspiration. How connected people are here and now to watch heavens with modern instruments.

[@adrianjameSASbury]

I know Anu, he's a skydiver - Top bloke! 😊

[@Smiger00na]

Yeah, wondered what they were complaining about until the video/music started… the sound is a disaster!

[@AL_EKs]

broadcast audio is terribly unbalanced - vocals buried in presentation soundtrack.

[@KlaunFuhrer-du7fr]

Jezero (Lake) in serbocroatian is pronounced Ye-Zero

[@mrp8811]

bit pants that q&a was for members only😙

[@TheSimJoh]

Come on R.I., decent sound engineers are not that rare - please find one.

[@willrose5424]

Submit your application. 😂

[@jlmwatchman]

Why should we all care about outer space? Is it the exploration, the science, or the prestige? 'No, it is the money!’ This video tells us about what we have gained from space developments, which is so much more than Velcro. 8) By the end of the hour-long video, ‘Along with being angry about space.’, you will want to call your Congress Representatives to encourage them to invest more in NASA… Let us Get There Already? I mean if it wasn’t for **** we would have power stations on The Moon by now…

[@HatchetHMC86]

I'm tripping on k right now and this is spot on. No jokes. Much love

[@bazsnell3178]

Once again (again!!) the sound quality is atrocious for such a prestigious Institution. Come on R.I., get your finger out......

[@ShonMardani]

Nice video from the satellite, where is the Sun or the Moon?

[@chrisprobert6]

Neva seen so few comments 😂

[@Sameer2762]

Someone please fire that sound mixing guy! 😠

[@aarongrant9076]

Sounds like we are going to be polluting every strata of the atmosphere just to see how beautiful earth is . 😢

[@sarcasmo57]

Longest minute and fifteen seconds on KZbin.

[@cptrikester2671]

3:30 sufficiently annoying to exit out.

[@willrose5424]

More stars in the universe than all the grains of sand on all beaches on earth. 😏

[@HeWhoRoamsAimlessly]

Unwatchable due to sound 😢

[@tommybreen9677]

Why don’t you use that money to stop desertification, and help solve all the problems & symptoms that is causing!

[@jonnscott4858]

How much of Earth do we want to destroy to get into space? eg the Ozone every time a rocket is launched. (seems a very touchy subject)

[@AL_EKs]

All of it - if we don't mankind as a species will vanish from the Cosmos. We are out of living area for more people - the only place where there is more space is Space.

[@250txc]

1:40 -- Space is right off the end of your nose. -- Job security, his, is what this person is promoting...

[@ThrivingReality]

Why first not fix all the problems on earth before wasting so much money on things 99% of the world won't get to experience?

[@vladimir.rrrrrr]

Learn how to use audio properly in your content fam. You're wasting both your and our time with this content quality. do better

[@lindawelin3601]

No way can you say you are holding real Martian rock in your hand,

[@dukeallen432]

Insufferable

[@zadenabi]

My girlfriend is always like “I just don’t care for space, it doesn’t interest me.” And I’m on the complete other side of that argument and am more than ready to travel the stars 🙏🏼

[@TheModernVictorian]

It is 62 miles to space but 7.2 miles from Stratford to the RI.

[@TokyoArcade]

Think he said Stratford-upon-Avon. Over 100milies to RI