Passport to Space | Susmita Mohanty and Maya Nasr

Indian space entrepreneur and habitat designer Dr Susmita Mohanty joins Lebanese remote sensing scientist Dr Maya Nasr in conversation to discuss their shared vision for space exploration. Drawing on their experiences ― from Nasr launching the Humanity United with MIT Art and Nanotechnology in Space (HUMANS) record of community messages to the International Space Station, to Mohanty’s role championing India’s cutting-edge space industry ― the duo will examine the barriers they have overcome to ensure improved representation and diversity to create an industry that is open to all.

SPEAKERS

Dr Susmita Mohanty is a pioneering space entrepreneur and advocate for space exploration known for her leadership in the field of commercial spaceflight. She began her career with NASA and Boeing, and is the only entrepreneur in the world to have co-founded three space companies on three different continents. As the co-founder and CEO of Earth2Orbit, India’s first space start up, and co-founder of India’s first space think tank SARABHAI (S2), she has played a key role in advancing India's space industry and promoting international collaboration in space research and exploration.

Dr Maya Nasr is a remote sensing scientist at the US Environmental Defense Fund and Harvard University focusing on space mission planning for in-orbit calibrations. She has contributed to the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission, Cassini’s mission activity on Titan, and with OneWeb. Nasr holds expertise in spacecraft operations, engineering systems, technology strategy, and space law and policy.

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Sydney Science Festival Partner: Powerhouse Parramatta