Radical Spaceflight Group

The opening of the 21st century has seen widespread renewed interest in space exploration: commercial (NewSpace) groups promise to take humans to Mars and beyond; space agencies around the world are whipping up hype about returning to the Moon and; asteroids are set to become a precious resource for deep-space exploration. It remains to be seen whether these projects will come to life or not, but the way we think and talk about space matters, and schemes like these provoke urgent questions around the values and politics of space exploration.

Should we be describing outer space as a ‘frontier’? Is space settlement a colonial project? And how can it be anti-colonial from the start? Should we be entrusting the settlement of the Solar System to a handful of billionaires?

Launching at Antiuniversity Now 2019, Radical Spaceflight Club welcomes people who are already interested in space exploration, as well as anyone new to the subject who wants to learn more in a supportive, friendly environment. It is a space for sharing resources (images, texts, videos, and other material), questions, and discussion. Each session will focus on a key spaceflight topic, using a set of prompt questions to frame the discussion.

This inaugural session with Giles Bunch will centre around the theme of “the ‘frontier’ in deep space”. Information and prompt questions will be sent out to attendees in the weeks leading up to us meeting.

Giles is interested in the different ways that people inhabit and think about Outer Space. He writes, plays guitar with the band molejoy (check them out at the Antiuni launch party!), and occasionally makes art.

This event is part of Antiuniversity Now Festival 2019 (15-22 June). See the full programme on antiuniversity.org

This event is in the Brockway Room on the ground floor (Ground floor – accessible. Induction loop audio). For accessibility info: conwayhall.org.uk/about/visiting-us