Students taken on mission to Mars
Dr Lim was visiting Australia as part of national science week and last week travelled the state to deliver a series of presentations to interested groups and students.
Dr Lim is a NASA geobiologist and exobiologist who prepares astronauts for scientific exploration of the moon, deep space and Mars.
She has become a leading public figure for Mars exploration, having presented her missions publicly at academic institutions and public events around the world.
Dr Lim spoke on these topics during presentations at the West Gippsland Arts Centre and Warragul Regional College on Tuesday.
Dr Lim’s expertise involves Mars human “analog” missions, in which extreme landscapes like volcanoes, the Antarctic or the ocean floors serve as substitutes for outer space environments.
Dr Lim was excited to report that science has brought humans closer to visiting Mars with human exploration likely in the next 20 years.
Her work aims to answer questions such as: “When humans set foot on Mars, what will they do? How will they explore? How will they survive?”
Dr Lim shared her experiences working under these simulated mission conditions in the Arctic, the Antarctic, and underwater where she has piloted submersibles as a scientist and explorer.
Two on-going NASA analogue programs that Dr Lim is focussed on are BASALT (Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains), and SUBSEA (Systematic Underwater Biogeochemical Science and Exploration Analog).
These missions aim to solve several unique challenges that are not encountered during typical scientific field expeditions, such as extreme environmental conditions and communication delays.
“Only once we have mastered these challenges can we walk among the red dunes of Mars,” Dr Lim said.
Following her presentation to students, Dr Lim addressed parents and sponsors at a special lunch at the school’s new STEM centre.
The lunch was to raise funds to support eight WRC students to attend the Mission Discovery Program at Melbourne University in September.
At the program students will learn from NASA astronauts and leaders as well as expert scientists about space exploration.
Students will be able to take on the role of research scientists and design an experiment to be conducted in space. The overall winning team’s experiment will be launched to the International Space Station and conducted by astronauts on board.
The Warragul Business Group, The Warragul Rotary Club, business LA Concierge and Baw Baw Shire are supporting the students’ visit to the Program in September.
Cr Jessica O’Donnell said being visited by leaders in their field such as Dr Lim was inspirational for students.
“I think especially for young women interested in STEM to see someone such as Dr Lim speak is incredibly inspiring,” she said.