Human Spaceflight Fundamentals Workshop

Saturday, 9th December 2023

10:00am to 5:30pm
Part of the Melbourne International Space Festival

Swinburne University of Technology
Melbourne, Victoria

Key Topics

  • Hazards of Human Spaceflight

  • Psychological techniques for stress management

  • Sustained performance at an elite level

  • Optimal conditioning using velocity based-training

  • Ethical concepts in Human Spaceflight

Background

 The aim of this project is to teach fundamental knowledge and skills that can improve an individual's capability as an astronaut candidate.

Learn from instructors in space and human performance disciplines using the example of astronauts as people who are physically, mentally, technically and academically capable. 

Who is this for?

Individuals who are interested in pursuing the goal of becoming an astronaut.

Individuals who are interested in developing their whole self. 

Goals of this workshop

  • Understand what it takes to perform at an elite level over a career

  • Learn about the different hazards to humans in the space environment

  • Discuss the ethical challenges experienced by spacefaring individuals

  • Develop psychological preparation methods relevant for human spaceflight and everyday life

  • Understand and practice physical training methods useful for human spaceflight and elite performance

Special Instructors

Dennis Armfield

Former Carlton Blues AFL Player

At 21 years of age, Dennis was recruited by Carlton Football Club in the third-round of the 2007 AFL National Draft. After debuting in 2008, Dennis went on to play 145 games over 10 seasons in the AFL, becoming a cult figure at the club and popular among fans.

Collecting accolades for team spirit and clubmanship, Dennis was recognised by the AFL in 2015 for his work in the community, being awarded the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award. In 2017 and at 30 years of age, Dennis was elevated to the club's leadership group for the first time.

Dennis is passionate about personal development and currently works as a Senior Consultant at The Elevation Company, where he is supporting people to discover and express the truth of who they are and embrace the difference they were born to make.

Simon Jenner (Virtual)

Ecosystem Manager, Axiom Space

Axiom Space is creating the future for humanity, both in space and here on Earth. Starting with building a single space station and sending commercial astronauts to space, Axiom Space will be creating cities in space. With two missions launching per year to the International Space Station, and then to Axiom’s Space Station, Simon is hunting for people with the ‘right stuff’ to be an Axiom Astronaut. Simon’s roles at Axiom Space have included recruitment of future private individuals interested in pioneering spaceflight, public speaking at events around the world, and is now working with various international governments to uplift their space industries.

Instructors

Dr Rowena Christiansen

Physician, Lecturer & Subject Coordinator
The University of Melbourne

Australian physician Dr Rowena Christiansen is a long-term educator within the University of Melbourne Medical School, and in 2022 developed a new ‘Discovery Subject’ “Human health in the space environment”. She also lectures on ‘humans in space’ for Swinburne University and is a member of the Australian Space Agency Space Medicine Technical Advisory Group.

She is a creative founder of the International Humans in Space Summit and was also selected for the 2021 ESA Space Physician Training Course.

Dr Evie Kendal

Senior Lecturer, Health Promotion
Swinburne University of Technology

Dr Evie Kendal is a bioethicist and public health scientist specialising in the ethics of emerging technologies. Her work focuses on reproductive biotechnologies, health communication and media, and space ethics.

Evie is a Senior Lecturer of Health Promotion at Swinburne University of Technology's Department of Health Sciences and Biostatistics and heads the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Emerging Technologies (ELSIET) research group, housed at the Iverson Health Innovation research institute.

Dr Harry Banyard

Lecturer, Exercise and Sport Science
Swinburne University of Technology

Prior to becoming a lecturer at Swinburne, Harry was the athlete development manager at the West Australian Football Commission, and completed his PhD at Edith Cowan University on the topic of velocity-based training: monitoring, implementation and effects on strength and power.

Some of his current research areas include: velocity-based training, optimal exercise for astronauts, sprint & jump force-velocity profiling & training, fatigue & barbell movement tracking, exercise & its effect on depression & anxiety, & motivational strategies to increase physical activity levels.

Jennifer Sharp

Psychologist and PhD Candidate
Charles Sturt University

After working with children and families for many years in the public service, Jennifer is completing PhD research at Charles Sturt University with a focus on the use of technology to address loneliness in people in space. Space travel involves separation from others for extended periods of time, and loneliness is a fundamental challenge to overcome.

Jennifer’s research aims to identify whether social interaction via virtual reality or with a voice-interfaced artificial intelligence program reduces loneliness. This research has relevance for astronauts as well as people on Earth in isolated, remote and confined locations.

Schedule

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  • Simon Jenner from Axiom Space will present Axiom’s latest activities and what goes into their preparation for missions.

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