ESA explores the final frontier with Star Trek fans
ESA’s space activities collided with science fiction this weekend as the agency set a course for Europe’s official Star Trek convention.
Thousands of avid fans ventured to the event – which was held in London in the UK – to meet cast and crew members, explore interactive exhibits, and immerse themselves in the Star Trek universe.
While discovering strange new worlds, the Federation tackles many of the challenges that ESA is addressing as it pushes the boundaries of space exploration.
The agency dispatched a team of space experts to showcase how it is emulating technologies that most Trekkies would expect to see on a Starfleet spacecraft.
Starfleet Command uses subspace communication to keep in contact with its starships – and ESA also relies on long-distance connectivity for mission operations.
Simon Wood – operations engineer for ESA’s Mars Express mission – delivered a talk on the engineering challenges of maintaining constant contact with the spacecraft, which has been beaming back observations of the Red Planet for over 15 years.
To support future deep space missions, the agency is encouraging space companies to put a constellation of satellites around the Moon that will provide communications and navigation services.
The impact of space weather on connectivity was also tackled at the convention. Communications blackouts caused by solar flares and electromagnetic disturbances are a recurring theme throughout Star Trek.
In addition, ESA discussed fictional technologies featured on Star Trek, including replicators – which create food and equipment on demand – and holodecks, which enable crews to experience life-like 3D simulations.
The agency is emulating these technologies by developing 3D printers for equipment and building materials, as well as virtual and augmented reality applications for future exploration and training.
Other topics covered at the convention included the recent changes to the International Space Station, cutting-edge research completed on microgravity parabolic flights, activities at ESA ground stations, and how ESA enables spacecraft to land safely on extra-terrestrial bodies.
Destination Star Trek took place in London from 12 to 14 November.
