There is a lot of interest in the possibility of a manned mission to Mars, both from organisations like NASA and private enthusiasts like Elon Musk. The talk is about the varied and considerable challenges facing any such expedition, regardless of who undertakes it. The talk includes substantial material drawn from the 'Moving to Mars' exhibition held at the Design Museum in London from late 2019 to early 2020. This material is a fascinating insight into how the challenges of sending humans to Mars are generating very innovative thinking amongst designers and engineers.

About the speaker: John Dunthorne

I am a retired teacher of physics, electronics and information and communication technology. I am a member of the Cleethorpes and District Astronomical Society where I am responsible for organising the Beginners' sessions. I have had a lifelong interest in astronomy and the manned space programme and I was 15 when I watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step onto the Moon. I hope to live to see the first woman walk on the Moon.