Speaker – Dr. Martin Braddock, Sherwood Observatory at Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society
Human beings are poorly adapted to live and work in space. To date, space missions rarely reach durations of longer than 6-9 months and during that time astronauts experience an environment that affects their physical and psychological well-being.In this talk Martin reviews the safety record of space travel and the some of the major effects of microgravity on astronaut health and the mitigation measures that are in place. With a future-looking lens, he will consider the possibilities for deep space travel and the challenges that need to be overcome to permit long term missions and asks – and attempts to answer – some of the ethical questions raised. He asks that you please come with an open mind!
Biography
Dr Martin Braddock is a professional scientist and project manager working in the field of drug discovery and development with 36 years’ experience of working in academic institutes and large corporate organisations. He holds a BSc in Biochemistry and a PhD in Radiation Biology (from the Radiation Biology Unit, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell Oxfordshire), and is a former Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. He is currently working somewhere definitely in the news – AstraZeneca.
He has a serious interest in astronomy and is passionate about all aspects of Astronomy, Cosmology and Astrobiology, holds University qualifications in Cosmology, Astronomy and Planetary Sciences and Astrobiology from the University of Central Lancashire and Open University. In 2009 was elected as Fellow of the Society of Biology for outstanding contribution to Bioscience and in 2012 he was a recipient of an Alumnus Achievement Award from the University of Salford for distinction in science. He has published over 200 papers, edited 2 books for the Royal Society of Chemistry and is a named inventor on 8 patents. He acts as a reviewer for project proposals for multiple European Research Agencies and has editorial roles on numerous scientific journals. In 2015, Martin was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) for his services to outreach activities. He has given over 100 presentations throughout Europe, Asia and North and South America, contributed to several white papers for the RAS and is an active Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM) ambassador. Through STEM he works through local schools and helps to inspire the next generation of young scientists at both school level and through UK based astronomy societies, clubs and groups. Martin is an Advisory Council member at Filling Space and in 2021 was nominated for the 2022 RAS Annie Maunder Outreach Medal.
—
Photo: (c) NASA
