SPACE INVADERS for Elon Musk by Uniwersytet Śląski

S PAC E I N VA D E R S

We Dare to Invite You

Dear Elon, We are members of the organising committee of the

changed beyond recognition over the last few years

Silesian Science Festival. We are writing to you from

thanks to the efforts of many people. We have started

Katowice – capital city of the region called Silesia,

to take better care of the environment and change

situated in the south of Poland. This region is unusually

the image of Silesia from a region based on coal and

rich in mineral deposits. Since the middle ages, coal

industry to a region based on knowledge and culture.

mines and steelworks have been built giving rise to

We have focused on modernity and innovation. In recent

development of the mining, metallurgical and power

years many buildings representing institutions of high

industry for decades. After the Second World War Silesia

culture have been erected, including the Polish National

was mercilessly exploited, industry destroyed nature and

Radio Symphony Orchestra – one of the most beautiful

air quality has drastically deteriorated.

concert halls in Europe, the Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library, the Silesian Museum and the In-

When Poland joined the European Union (in 2004) our co-

ternational Congress Centre. The facilities are located

untry experienced a civilisation leap. Eventhough Silesia

on the premises of a new district called “Culture Zone”.

hasn’t done away with its mining and industrial past, it has

It is here that the our headquarters of our university –

Image2 Credit: Tomasz Kiełkowski

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the University of Silesia – is situated. Our potential is more and more appreciated in the world, which is proved by the fact that Katowice has been the venue of the European Economic Congress, Intel Extreme Masters world championship in computer games and the Silesian Science Festival for a few years now. It will also play host to the UN Climate Change Conference 2018 (COP24) in December 2018.

innovation become the greatest treasure of the region. Your activity shows that you also wish the world was organized this way. That is why we would like to invite you the

We have put together a few ideas which are sure to catch your interest. There are many young people in Silesia whom you inspire and would love to meet you. On the contrary, our metropolis is inhabited by approx. 2 million

It is our dream that knowledge, clean technologies and

P L EA S E L OO K T H ROU G H T H E PU B L I CAT I ON W E H AVE PREPARED F OR Y OU F RO M COVER TO COVER .

Silesian

Science

Festival

2019

Katowice.

We know you’re very busy, receiving countless of

invita-

tions of this kind, but please, give us a chance!

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people, from the airport in Katowice one may fly to Frankfurt am Main within an hour, and to London, Paris and Rome within two hours. We are in the center of Europe. Apart from that, Poles are nice people: friendly, diligent and hospitable. We will be pleased to host you and your family, and we will show you the beautiful and unique country of Poland.

Image Credit: Tomasz Kiełkowski 3

CONTENTS Part I Why Silesians want to leave the Earth? It all started with coal

University Atmospheric Control Laboratories

Poland focuses on electromobility

Polish electric car

A new dimension of Polish electromobility

Hyperloop Poland

Part II From science fiction to non-fiction Mars is not an alternative for Earthlings

Part III Flight to Mars Are psychologists needed on other planets?

Which mental challenges can we expect?

Problems with space law

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Part IV Life on Mars according to Silesians Earth Bis

Acceleration of space exploration

Lunares Space Base

Rovers from Poland are the best in the world!

Unibot

The first donkey in outer space!

Plants in space

Mechanisms of behaviour of insects and the automatic control of artificial intelligence

Why should we invest in good pollination?!

New materials for screening diagnostics in outer space

Robin Heart

Video games help explore space

Beer on Mars?

Which language should be spoken by the colonisers of Mars?

Martian playlist

Part V Who we are, what we do? Silesian Science Festival Katowice

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Part I

Why Silesians want to leave the Earth? 6

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Illustration by Grzegorz Chudy

It all started with coal The fate of the land called Upper Silesia was decided 330

Zinc and lead-bearing strata conveniently overlie coal se-

million years ago when lush vegetation of the Carboniferous

ams. To smelt zinc one needed coal, so zinc and coal mining

tropical forest covered vast areas of Europe. With the passa-

developed together. The abundance of coal attracted steel-

ge of time, gigantic trees and ferns turned into the greatest

-makers and soon Upper Silesia became one of the most

riches of Upper Silesia – hard coal.

industrialised regions of the world. Today, while coal is still an important commodity of the Silesian economy, heavy

But it was huge zinc and lead ore deposits that brought ear-

industry is being replaced by high-tech enterprises. It is

ly entrepreneurs to this region.

the entrepreneurial energy of well-educated young Silesians that directs the future of the region.

Janusz Janeczek, Prof. PhD hab. Mineralogist, geologist Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice Rector of the University of Silesia 2002–2008 Chairman of the Council of National Science Centre – a government agency, supervised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education

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Image Credit: University of Silesia

University Atmospheric Control Laboratories Poland, and Silesia in particular, contends with “London-ty-

ganic compounds, plant pollen, zooplankton, gas compo-

pe” smog in the winter season because heat engineering

nents and soot concentration (Black Carbon). The balloon is

and power industry are based, first of all, on burning coal

an excellent laboratory which shows the problems we con-

and wood, and with “Los Angeles-type” smog in the sum-

tend with and what should be done to change the situation

mer, which is caused by the increase in the number of cars

and improve the quality of air in the region, which will have

and by using them by residents of the Silesian agglomera-

a global effect on the improvement of the condition of the

tion, who constitute nearly 1/10 of the population of Poland.

atmosphere.

University of Silesia in Katowice has created University At-

Research results are presented to children and school youth

mospheric Control Laboratories (ULKA) and the aerial mo-

at symposia, conferences and meetings of local community

bile laboratory, the only one of this kind in Poland, located

in order to educate and cooperate with the local govern-

in the basket of a hot air balloon designed for research on

ment with the aim of implementing innovative ecological

atmosphere pollution and widely understood ecological

actions in line with the principles of sustainable develop-

education of the youth. The balloon is equipped with sta-

ment gions of the world. Today, while coal is still an impor-

te-of-the-art equipment which allows for registering pollu-

tant commodity of the Silesian economy, heavy industry is

tion changes vertically, up to approx. 4,000 m above ground

being replaced by high-tech enterprises. It is the entrepre-

level, and migration of pollution horizontally, according to

neurial energy of well-educated young Silesians that directs

wind directions. The research covers both mineral and or-

the future of the region.

Mariola Jabłońska, PhD hab. Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice Project manager of University Atmospheric Control Laboratories (ULKA)

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Image Credit: University of Silesia

Poland focuses on electromobility On January 11th, 2018 the Sejm of the Republic of Poland

passed a law on electromobility and alternative fuels,

in agglomerations, in densely populated areas and along

which is to impose accelerated electrification of moto-

trans-European road transport corridors. It is planned

risation in Poland. The law was signed by the President

that by the end of 2020 6,000 electric charging points

of Poland Andrzej Duda on February 5 , 2018.

of normal power, 400 charging points of high power

core

and The law provides, for example, for: abolition of excise duty

infrastructure

compressed

network

natural

for

gas

alternative

(CNG)

fuels

refuelling

points will be built.

for electric cars and plug-in hybrids (PHEV), exempting them

from

parking

fees,

and

higher

depreciation

allowances for companies. It also aims at building

What is more, the law makes it possible for local authorities to create clean transport zones.

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Polish electric car Poland is an indisputable European leader in electric bus

It will be done by the ElectroMobility Poland. EMP is plan-

manufacturing. E-buses will, without a doubt, become one

ning to construct a prototype and start to produce e-cars in

of the key elements of transport electrification in cities across

2022. A functional prototype of the first Polish car is to be

Europe. Poland is now going to build the first electric car.

presented in 2019.

A new dimension of Polish electromobility Transporters S.A. as a strategic investor, thanks to coope-

– We are happy that we have found a partner

ration with the University of Silesia, will install charging

who wants to influence the plow and just

stations

for

electric

cars

all

university

locations.

At the same time, the investor will provide an electric car in the form of car-sharing.

as we believe in electric cars. This is an important step not only for the University, but for the entire local community . Project Director Tomasz Jędrusik

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Hyperloop Poland There are a lot of Hyperloop supporters in Poland. They

by new specialists and has developed cooperation with

include a group of enthusiasts who form Hyper Poland.

domestic and international research groups.

When they were students, they got to the second stage of the contest Spacex Hyperloop Pod Competition.

Their ambition is to ensure that Polish technical thought

They were also finalists of the contest Build Earth Live:

contributes to the development of this technology,

Hyperloop, as well as semi-finalists of Hyperloop One

and they dream of Poland being one of the pioneers

Global Challenge. Since 2016 the team has been joined

in the construction of the first passenger line.

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Image Credit: Hyperloop Poland

Part II

From science fiction to non-fiction 18

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Illustration by Jakub Krzyszpin

Mars is not an alternative for Earthlings Interwiew with TOMASZ LEM, son of Stanisław Lem – Polish science fiction writer, philosopher and futurologist, author of such books as Solaris, The Cyberiad, The Star Diaries, Fables for Robots, Tales of Pirx the Pilot, The Futurological Congress, Observation on the Spot.

In his books Stanisław Lem reached the furthest frontiers issues

the

coming

condition,

directly

future

technological

universe,

but

from

mankind

changes,

threats

actually

the in

Earth:

the

our

heraised

human

context

civilization

and the planet itself. Did he believe that mankind could really be saved by the settlement of other planets/

(which doesn’t, of course, determine future engineering possibilities which are unimaginable today). However, in order to save mankind we should probably start from rescuing the Earth, that is from preventing climate changes which we cause – for example by giving up fossil fuels for the benefit of renewable energy. Besides, if we cannot use the Earth’s deposits in a responsible way, why should we be able

systems?

to do so on another planet?

I don’t remember my father ever seriously expressing

Stanisław Lem often expressed very important topics in

the idea that mankind should look for another place in the universe, as an alternative to the Earth. Such an idea is rather unreal from the point of view of the extrapola-

a humorous way. Would he be amused by the fact that Elon Musk has sent a cheery-red car with a dummy on board, listening to David Bowie, towards Mars?

tion of technologies which we now have at our disposal

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Illustration by Elena Gomez Gonzalez

Elon Musk has probably expected that the rocket would

I believe my father would deem it impossible. I don’t know if

explode during the launch because I had the impression

he would engage in ethical deliberations. If we can’t refrain

that he was quite surprised to see the car successfully sent

from destroying the Earth, how could we know how to “set-

into space. My father would probably be a bit scandalised at

tle” on Mars? And would the settlement of Mars be the hope

a flying Tesla in the sense that he wouldn’t approve of the

for Earthlings before the Sun starts to transform into a red

trivialization of the conquest of space. When taking the first

giant? The chance that mankind will still exist at that time

steps on the Moon, Neil Armstrong did not shout any Coca

is rather slight, taking into account our suicidal tendencies.

Cola advertising slogans; nor did he say any words which wo-

At the moment, we can’t settle anything and, due to cosmic

uld sound patriotic to Americans in the light of the cosmic

radiation, a living and healthy man is not even able to reach

race with Russia, but which could be perceived by other na-

Mars.

tions as nationalism. It all probably comes down to a new discipline: limits of jokes in outer space – we don’t have a terrestrial textbook on cosmic savoir vivre yet. However, Elon Musk’s cosmic Tesla proves, without a doubt, that private companies may successfully compete with state institutions like NASA or ESA. What impressed me most was the successful landing of boosters and I imagine my father would also have been enchanted with this show. Stanisław Lem once said that people should stay away

from Mars because the planet had been dead for 2 billion years and it was impossible to breathe there. Yet, one of the plans of Elon Musk is the so-called terraforming of Mars (that is to carry out deep processes aimed at trans-

forming Mars into a planet similar to the Earth, for example in the sense of creating human-friendly atmosphere),

creation of human colonies and extraction of raw materials from this planet. Are you able to say how Stanisław Lem would evaluate this idea? Also in terms of ethics.

Stanisław Lem. Copyright by Tomasz Lem

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Illustration by Krzysztof Włodarczyk

Part III

Flight to Mars

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Illustration by Grzegorz Chudy

Are psychologists needed on other planets? Nobody has checked it yet. Psychologists may, howe-

ring of human behaviour in habitats and the analyses of

ver, provide useful information on predicted human be-

sports and travel expeditions in extreme conditions, we

haviour in outer space. Thanks to the research conduc-

are getting closer to the understanding of the psycholo-

ted by explorers of the polar regions who go to work in

gical processes occurring in astronauts, and maybe even

polar stations for the whole year, as well as the monito-

in the first colonisers of other planets.

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Which mental challenges can we expect? Monotony – a many months’ space flight provides far fewer

Third-quarter syndrome – when half of the mission has

stimuli than we are used to in our daily life. Interpersonal

passed, most people are not pleased with the fact that

tensions – spending a lot of time with the same group of

“the same amount of time is left and that’s it”; their

people, without the possibility of “taking a break”, is a real

spirits tend to sink considerably for this reason.

challenge.

Agnieszka Skorupa, PhD Psychologist dealing with research on human behaviour in extreme situations She has taken part in survival camps, mountain and polar expeditions to Spitsbergen and expeditions to Amazonia Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology, University of Silesia in Katowice

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Problems with space law Problem no. 1 – Border In theory, we all know where outer space is, but, in reality, where does it start? There are different theories. According to one concept, outer space begins approx. 100 km from the surface of the Earth. According to another one, the border between airspace and cosmic space is determined by technical possibilities of airships. The third theory concerns the problem of borders within which different states may exercise their sovereignty. Due to the ban on appropriating cosmic space and celestial objects provided for in the Outer Space Treaty, such sovereignty is, however, impermissible.

Problem no. 2 – Legal status of outer space The law which is currently in force is the agreement on the principles of activity of states in the scope of research and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial objects, also called the Outer Space Treaty. Pursuant to the Treaty, the signatory states agreed, for example, not to place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around the Earth, on the Moon or anywhere else in cosmic space. According to the Treaty, the Moon and other celestial objects may be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. Each object launched into outer space belongs to the state in which it is registered and it is the law of that state which is in force on board. At the same time, astronauts are treated as envoys of all mankind and, if need be, each state should come to their aid.

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Problem no. 3 – Planetary protection Planetary protection is based on the legal obligations of signatories of the Outer Space Treaty. Space agencies are obliged to prevent the “smuggling” of microscopic living forms to other planets and moons. For this purpose, employees of the agencies regularly check so-called clean rooms and

buildings used for preparation of space probes and other equipment for launching them in search of some microbes. The policy on Planetary Protection defines the limits of biological contamination and probability of hitting a planet or moon for all landers, orbiters and other spaceships performing the gravity assist manoeuvre. Another aspect of Planetary Protection is the prevention of contamination of the Earth’s biosphere by spaceships returning with samples from a different planet or moon.

Agnieszka Sikora, PhD Scientific journalist Editor-in-chief of the scientific portal of the University of Silesia in Katowice

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Part IV

Life on Mars according to Silesians 30

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Illustration by Grzegorz Chudy

Earth Bis The Sun is going to destroy us. That’s for sure. For billions of

on the Moon. Mars is very much like the Earth, both geo-

years it has fed and maintained us, but what used to be our

logically and historically. There may have been some ri-

support will be the source of our death. As a result of natural

vers, lakes and oceans here before. What has become of

processes which occur inside the Sun, its temperature is hi-

them? Most of them have probably evaporated, but there

gher and higher. In a few billions of years, the Sun will start

is a chance that there is a lot of water under the surface

to swell, first burning the Earth and then absorbing it.

of the Martian soil. Permafrost is waiting to be extrac-

What is going to happen to us then?

ted. And when it works out, we will have – as mankind – one foot on the Red Planet. The first people flying to

If we do not find a way to run away from the Earth – we will

Mars will most likely take large supplies of food, but if

die. And if we are to flee, the question is where? And how?

anyone is seriously thinking of settling the planet (even

Will we manage on a foreign, unfriendly globe? The globes

if it was to be only a permanent scientific base), they

which are within our reach today are indeed unfriendly. The-

must find a way to produce food there, locally. It would

re is virtually no atmosphere on Mars, and – except for the

be necessary to grow plants whose DNA would be modified

poles – it is uncertain if there is any water. And even if there

in such a way that they may grow in the Martian soil and in

was, there is no food or plants.

extremely thin atmosphere. But is it feasible? And can it be checked on the Earth? And maybe instead of testing the

It was obvious that men will fly to the Red Planet one day.

Martian conditions on the Earth, it would be better to recre-

The first step was the Moon. It is close, which is its basic

ate terrestrial conditions on Mars?

advantage. Mars will be the next one because, unlike in the case of our satellite, people may function on Mars. In

It is easy to say but how can it be done? The atmospheric

spacesuits and in masks, of course, but still in conditions

composition is not constant but it is a fact that its changes

more similar to the terrestrial ones than to the conditions

are very slight (from the human time perspective). Within

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the last several dozen years we managed to “fill” the Ear-

The atmosphere is a system of many interconnected ves-

th’s atmosphere with quite a lot of CO2. As a consequence,

sels. We do not fully understand the mechanisms that rule

our atmosphere is getting warmer. Therefore would it be

it. The creation of an artificial atmosphere somewhere or a

possible to change the composition of the atmosphere on

drastic change of its composition in a controlled way and

Mars in a similar way? So that it is possible to live there?

intentionally is not science fiction. It is fiction.

It would be extremely complicated for many reasons. First, Mars is much lighter than the Earth, forming it’s

It is best proved by the results of the Biosphere 2 experi-

atmosphere by attracting gas particles using the plane-

ment. The idea was simple. In order to settle other globes

t’s gravitation but with a smaller force. Unfortunetly, will

it is necessary to build a self-sufficient base on them. Its

not be able to increase the planets mass. Besides, Mars

inhabitants had to be able to grow plants and breed ani-

(unlike the Earth) does not have a magnetic field, which

mals in numbers allowing not only for survival but rather for

works like an umbrella and protects the atmosphere from

long-term functioning. Trees were to turn the carbon dioxi-

a large amount of particles flying from the surface of

de exhaled by men, animals and produced by bacteria into

the Sun. These particles may blow off the atmosphere.

life-giving oxygen, and sunlight was to be the only external

It is, in principle, impossible on the Earth. And it is a real

factor. The proliferation of flora was to be regulated by the

threat on Mars. It might turn out that the produced (in

amount of nutritious substances in the soil and carbon dio-

some way) atmosphere would be destroyed at the first

xide in the air, and animals were to reproduce as long as

opportunity. Yet, where there’s a will there’s a way. Maybe

there was enough food and oxygen to breathe. The same

it will be possible in the future to create a device which

was planned for water plants. It was believed – not groun-

would be the source of an artificial magnetic field. Apart

dlessly – that when nutritious substances in water run out,

from such objective difficulties, would we manage to

algae, plants and fish will simply stop reproducing. And even

create atmosphere on a foreign globe? Theoretically yes.

if some plants grow too much, there should be more

Such a process is called terraforming. It has not been

fish which will simply eat the excess of water plants. In

conducted so far but we know nevertheless that “pro-

brief, the plan was to build a self-sufficient and self-re-

duction” of atmosphere, for example with the use of bac-

gulating ecosystem or, in other words, to create “another

teria, would take hundreds of thousands, or at least tens

Earth” (hence the “two” in the project name) somewhe-

of thousands of years. In the case of Mars, it would first

re in outer space. Without going into details of the pro-

need to be heated, for example by increasing the amount

jects – it did not work out. In retrospect, it is certain that

of CO2 in the Martian atmosphere. Higher temperature

Biosphere 2 did not fail because of high costs. The project

would melt frozen water on Mars. Plants could grow

failed right at the beginning because it was believed that

on moist ground. They would absorb CO2 and produce

we understand how the Earth’s ecosystem works. And,

oxygen. It sounds very simple. But, believe me, it wouldn’t

in reality, we are groping in the dark in many respects.

be simple at all.

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And what about terraforming? If we are unable to build

more complex organisms. With time, it would be possible

a system of greenhouses for all, maybe it is worth

to plant trees. If oxygen concentration was high enough,

looking once more at the idea of terraforming. When

people might move to the Red Planet. But is terraforming

examining our terrestrial extremophiles, that is bacte-

of Mars the future of mankind? If we want to try to adjust

ria living in the most unfavourable places on the globe,

some globes, it would be better to tackle something loca-

we may, without a doubt, say that our terrestrial micro-

ted further from the Sun than Mars. When the Earth starts

bes would manage without any problem on the Red

to boil in the rays of sunshine, life on Mars will become

Planet. And this is important because bacteria might gra-

unbearable. How about the moons of Jupiter or Saturn?

dually recreate the Martian atmosphere and fertile ground.

Or maybe we can find by that time a way to travel to globes

The process would, however, take a long time. The recreated

situated in other planetary systems.

gas envelope would allow for the functioning of more and

Tomasz Rożek, PhD Physicist, populariser of science, author of the TVP programme “Sonda 2”

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Acceleration of space exploration FP Space is a consortium of three Silesian enterprises – Futu-

We are currently carrying out the Intuition-1 mission,

re Processing, leader of the IT market, FP Instruments (sup-

which is aimed at the observation of the Earth and provision

plier of advanced solutions in the field of design of electro-

of high-quality satellite photographs which will allow FP

nic systems) and KP Labs, which creates volatile software,

to develop business in the field of remote sensing. The first

expert on the Big Data market and machine learning. The

satellite is CubeSat 6U which will have a shape of a cu-

objective of the consortium is to support the space sector

boid with a size of 10×22×36 cm and a weight of approx.

by providing services in the field of developing high-quality

12 kg. For the needs of the mission we will create a highly

software and hardware.

efficient computer for processing data in orbit (OBDH – On Board Data Handling), a hyperspectral camera with

Our mission is to accelerate the exploration of outer space

spectral resolution of 150 channels in the visible and

through the development of autonomic space probes and

near-infrared range (VNIR), as well as segmentation

robot technologies. That is why we sketched a clear vision

and classification algorithms based on deep convolutional

of development which should lead us within the next 10

networks. The Intuition-1 satellite will get to the low Earth

years to a place where we will become an integrator and

orbit (LEO); the launch is planned for 2022. The authors

operator of constellations of small satellites based on our

own satellite platform. In particular, we will concentrate

engineers

on such elements of a satellite as an on-board computer,

in the development of a Polish space sector.

the

project and

form

scientists

interdisciplinary who

actively

team

participate

a highly efficient computer for processing data in orbit, control of spatial orientation of satellites, power system and

We know in FP how important it is to develop personnel

laser communication. We will develop our competence,

and education sector, which is why we actively support

also in mission planning, control and simulation.

the PW-Sat2 project. It is aimed at the construction of an

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artificial satellite type CubeSat 2U for the purpose of testing

resistance and cause drastic lowering of the orbit and,

the innovative deorbitation system in the form of a sail with

in consequence, burning of the satellite in the Earth’s

a surface of 4 sq m, and checking the system of opening

atmosphere within a few months.

solar panels, Sun sensor and power system. The project is conducted by members of the Students’ Space Associa-

The work of the whole satellite will be controlled by an on-

tion at the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering

-board computer powered with a system designed for this

of the Warsaw University of Technology. FP Space supports

purpose. Two cameras will register the opening of the sail

the project by providing software and hardware solutions,

and amateur radio operators from all over the world will be

and in spring 2016 we funded an on-board computer, which

able to receive radio signals broadcast from the communi-

made it possible to move on to the next stage of the project.

cation system.

PW-Sat2 is in the shape of a cuboid with a size of 10×10×22 cm and it contains a square deorbitation sail with a surface

The PW-Sat2 satellite will be put into sun-synchronous orbit

of 4 sq m, which can be folded to a volume of 270 ml (that

with an altitude of approx. 575 km, and will be launched on

is ¼ of the whole satellite). As part of the mission, the sail

board the Falcon 9 rocket by the SpaceX company in the

should be opened after about 40 days of launching the sa-

third quarter of 2018.

tellite into orbit. This action will increase the aerodynamic

Karolina Trzcionka IT sector specialist, team leader in Future Processing, Polish offshore software development service provider

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Lunares Space Base Simulated space base and a research laboratory

It is a simulated space base and a unique research labora-

The Lunares habitat is a private investment of the Space Gar-

The Lunares habitat is isolated from the sunlight and UTC

den company (www.space.garden) established in Poland in 2017. The name “Lunares” comes from “Luna” (Moon) and “Ares” (Mars) to highlight the possibility of running two different simulations for future Moon and Mars inhabitants.

tory. During mission simulations, analogue astronauts are completely cut off from the world, controlled by professional Mission Control Centres. They can go outside from the habitat only wearing space suits and go to the interior of a hangar that simulates the surface of the Moon or Mars. time, which makes this laboratory the largest experimental chronobiology center in the world. More info: www.lunares.space

Agata Kołodziejczyk, PhD Neuroscientist, co-founder of the Space Garden Company Research and Development Executive Director

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Image Credit: Space Garden 41

Image Credit: Anna B. Gregorczyk/Short Stories of the Future

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Image Credit: Anna B. Gregorczyk/Short Stories of the Future

Rovers from Poland are the best in the world! The Raptors team is composed of students from four facul-

We are one of the most titled robotic student teams in the

ties of the Lodz University of Technology who are keen on

world, winning top places at contests such as: Mohamed

designing and constructing a Mars rover for the internatio-

Bin Zayed International Robotic Challenge, European Robot

nal competition of specialist mobile robots. The project con-

League Emergency, University Rover Challenge, although it

sists in creating mechanical structures and control systems

was only two years ago that we made our debut at Univer-

for a robot built of over 2,000 elements, which took part in

sity Rover Challenge in the United States, where we were

many international robotic competitions.

ranked fifth in the world, and we won the first place and became the world champion at the biggest robotic event on the Old Continent – European Rover Challenge – only three months later.

Mateusz Kujawiński, PhD student Leader of the Raptors team building a Mars rover – the winners of the 2016 European Rover Challenge Faculty of Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineering Lodz University of Technology

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Image Credit: Marcin Kowalski 45

Unibot In the near future Unibot will place on Mars a base made

We are currently looking for Lego volunteers to join our crew

entirely of Lego bricks. The first step has already been taken.

who will undertake this mission.

A Mars rover was built and tested during the European Rover Challenge 2016.

The final stage will be the construction of a Lego rocket. Hm… we are wondering if we can find fuel for this rocket?

Ireneusz Foryś Unibot’s co-founder and chief constructor The Open University of University of Silesia in Katowice

Joanna Foryś, PhD Biologist, life science researcher, Unibot’s co-founder and projects manager The Open University of University of Silesia in Katowice

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Image Credit: Joanna 47 Foryś

The first donkey in outer space! On June 10th, 2017, within the framework of the university

the basics of programming and electronics in order to con-

project “Space Donkey – Usiołek w kosmosie”, students

struct an amateur research probe, gather some data concer-

ning the atmosphere, the flight of the balloon and… teach

Silesian

lower

secondary

schools

and

technical

secondary schools together with researchers from Unibot

Usiołek to fly.

and the Teenagers’ University of Silesia released a stratospheric balloon with a suspended research probe and

Usiołek rose to the height of nearly 30 km and was not

a mascot of the University of Silesia – Usiołek. The students

too cold. The temperature was favourable, with the lowest

had worked on the project for a few weeks and learnt

value of -13ºC.

Image48 Credit: Unibot

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Image Credit: Karol 49 Guzik

Plants in space Taking into account that plants constitute 50% of our food,

cherry tomato. Recently, in 2017 scientists from Peru toge-

there is a high demand for considering possible ways to

ther with Frito-Lay Co. used a simulator that mimics the

grow them in space conditions. Since 1960s experiments

harsh conditions on Mars (e.g. frosty below-zero tempera-

have been conducted in space stations and also on board

tures, high carbon monoxide concentrations, and a system

a spacecraft using plants of several species such as tomato,

of lights imitating the Martian day and night) to successfully

potato, lettuce, Arabidopsis or even wheat. It is not an easy

grow a potato plant. It raises hope for human life on the Red

task to perform such experiments and many challenges

Planet.

need to be addressed if astronauts are to successfully grow enough food.

Understanding the genetic basis of plant development and the mechanism of response to extreme conditions will

Such challenges include reduced gravity, elevated radiation

allow for better adjustment of plant material to space con-

levels and artificial light. Although there are several examples

ditions. At the University of Silesia, Department of Genetics,

of successful stories such as lettuce grown in International

we are working on semi-dwarf genotypes of barley that

Space Station, there is a need to develop advanced space

successfully deal with water deficit in the soil. One can

agriculture technologies. Additionally, taking into account

imagine a scenario where a multi-layered network of stress

the limited amount of space available on board a rocket

response in plants can be controlled in order to obtain plants

or ISS, scientists aimed to grow dwarf varieties of wheat or

better adjusted to extreme space conditions.

Agata Daszkowska-Golec, PhD Geneticist and molecular biologist Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice

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Image Credit: NASA

Mechanisms of behaviour of insects and the automatic control of artificial intelligence Insects surround us every day. Despite being the most nu-

complex cognitive processes and provide excellent models

merous class of animals on earth, they rarely attract our

for the needs of automation and artificial intelligence. The

attention. Although the structure of their nervous system

research conducted by us concerns, among others, insects’

is completely different than mammals’ and their brain is

ability to perceive the geometric properties of the environ-

microscopic, they can move perfectly in complex environ-

ment, including, for instance, the ability to find the center

ments, learn from one another and create complicated so-

of a symmetrical arena. Such experiments allow for asking

cial structures. Getting to know the mechanisms of their be-

questions about the most fundamental relationships

haviour may be helpful in understanding the basics of more

between the animal’s mind and the surrounding world.

Bartosz Baran, BSc Insect neuroethology passionate, laureate of scholarship of the Polish Ministry of Science Department of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice

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Image Credit: Bartosz 53Baran

Why should we invest in good pollination?! The mission to Mars will fail without smart space-farming.

In 2016 we pollinated automatically strawberries and garlic.

Years in space will require constant food production. If we

This year we have finished tests in greenhouses – we have

want to supply Marsonauts with fresh fruit and vegetables,

pollinated 2,000 sq m of tomatoes (approx. 28 metric

we need to consider a universal and efficient pollinator.

tons of tomatoes).

In Poland we already have reached that level – B-Droid is a robotic pollinator which can automatically locate, re-

So far, we have developed an autonomous flier and two

ach and pollinate different species of fruit and vegetables.

versions of an autonomous mobile ground vehicle.

Rafał Dalewski, PhD Eng. Warsaw University of Technology

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Image Credit: Rafał Dalewski 55

New materials for screening diagnostics in outer space In an era of space flights, fast medical diagnostics are

It will be sufficient if the person with alarming symptoms

a very significant necessity for people staying in orbital

breaths on very porous carbon material. The material will

stations to respond to all microbiological threats. The lack

absorb everything from the air breathed out by the patient.

of possibility for hospitalisation makes it necessary to ap-

Then, the material will be inserted into an analyser which

ply quick screening diagnostics aimed at undertaking

will analyse the chemical composition of the patient’s bre-

treatment as early as possible. The application of very

ath and a diagnosis will be made through an advanced

porous carbon materials for sorbing the respiratory phase

neural network, which will allow for a very quick decision on

of people staying in outer space will allow for taking instant

what to do with the patient in a space station where access

and precise steps, such as targeted therapy, quarantine

to a fully equipped diagnostic laboratory is very difficult and/

or return to the Earth.

or completely impossible. Such quick and screening breath analyses and their correlation with specific disease entities will allow for considerable reduction of the risk of spreading of potential infectious diseases among the crew.

Andrzej Swinarew, PhD Department of Biomaterials Faculty of Computer Science and Materials Science, University of Silesia in Katowice

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Image Credit: Andrzej Swinarew 57

Robin Heart Robots must be considered as a part of the future of mankind,

mechatronic solutions. Robin Heart robots offer the oppor-

which will allow for making dreams of freedom come true.

tunity to introduce optimal standards of medical service on

Robots give strength to the weaker, efficiency where people

the Earth and beyond. Before we send a man to Mars, we

lack it, and relief from dangerous or tedious work. They are a

should settle robots there to prepare the whole system of

chance for many to live longer, happier and fitter. Also to live

services needed for people. Because robots will be the main

away from the green planet – the Earth.

human companions on Mars, during rest and work, at home and during the penetration of the planet. They will be the

The Polish robot family, named Robin Heart, prepared for

first to bring help in need. Medical robots such as Robin He-

clinical application, has a potential to provide a lot of inno-

art are necessary to ensure people’s safety.

vative techniques of minimally invasive surgery, which are expected by surgeons. The experimental studies conducted

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus and robots...

on animals and teleoperation attempts proved the effec-

from the Earth. Let’s do it to fulfil our needs and dreams!

tiveness of developed devices and the accuracy of applied

When flying to Mars, do not forget about Robin Heart robots!

Zbigniew Nawrat , Prof. PhD hab. Foundation of Cardiac Surgery Development & Medical University of Silesia President of International Society for Medical Robotics

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Image Credit: Mariusz Jakubowski 59

Video games help explore space A journey to Mars is a time of certain limbo between two

The University of Silesia offers classes dedicated to the

worlds. This time can be used in an effective way to prepare in-

creation of new worlds and simulations which enable

terplanetary travellers for living in an alien environment. Video

players or future astronauts to enter a different reality.

games have the unique ability to simulate all, even the most

Our students and graduates contribute to the Polish game

improbable events. It is thanks to such simulations that

industry, which is considered one of the most dynamically

one may gain essential experience without the necessity

developing sectors in the world. It is, among others, thanks

of putting the success of the whole expedition at risk.

to their hard work that a few hundred games are created

The University of Silesia is ready for the conquest of inter-

in Poland a year, and many of them are world’s best sellers,

planetary space thanks to the created study programme

such as The Witcher 3, Dying Light, This War of Mine etc.

in the field of video game design.

Can we imagine a better group of people who will conquer Mars before embarking on the real journey?

Remigiusz Kopoczek, PhD Faculty of Ethnology and Educational Science, University of Silesia in Katowice President of the Management Board of ARP Games Ltd

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Beer on Mars? Yeasts are microorganisms which have accompanied hu-

factories.

the

BioWar

project

students

deal

mankind for thousands of years. They have been used for

with isolation and selection of yeast applied in beer

production of, among others, bread, wine and bear. At the

industry. One of the most popular strains is BW-17, which

same time, they are one of the best known microorganisms,

was obtained from an old apple tree and then used to

thanks to which they are used in numerous ways.

brew the first commercially available university beer

During space missions they can serve as a source

in Poland.

of whole food as well as microscopic pharmaceutical

Michał Krzyżowski, PhD student Co-author of the BioWar project Department of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice

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Image Credit: Grzegorz Adamek 63

Which language should be spoken by the colonisers of Mars? English only seemingly appears to be the best language of

e.g. Gaelic, which is used only by 50,000 people or, even

communication on Mars. Firstly, we don’t know how long its

better, by Vilamovian, which is spoken only by 25 individuals.

hegemony on Earth is going to last. It surely must be a world

Specific language features can also be taken into considera-

language, that is a language which goes beyond the eth-

tion, such as, for example, the lack of perfect tense in Ame-

nic community which speaks it. The world spoke Greek for

rican-Indian language Hopi, which would make it possible

about 600 years, Latin for 1,700 years, French only for about

not to finish anything definitively.

150, and English has been spoken, so far, for as many years. Is American English going to survive as long as Latin? It is

Finally, there is a danger of never-ending disputes over the

uncertain when you become conscious of the death of great

criterion for the selection of the Martian language. Therefo-

languages of the past like Greek, Latin, Aramaic, Persian or

re, it would be best to decide on an auxiliary international

Quechua.

language, which does not belong to anyone. The most widespread one is Esperanto. Its basics were developed in 1887

Secondly, we can choose from as many as nearly 7,000 li-

by a Polish-Jewish doctor Ludwik Zamenhof. There is hope

ving languages, which we have at our disposal. Should the

that thanks to such a choice people on Mars will not share

number of people who speak the languages be decisive?

the fate of the builders of the Tower of Babel.

Then, Mandarin would be best as it has been used for 2,000 years and is now spoken by over a billion people. But, we

We should remember that the universal language – which

can equally well assume that the settlement of Mars will

the Universe knows – is the language of mathematics.

save the languages which are on the verge of extinction,

Ryszard Koziołek, Prof. PhD hab. Faculty of Philology Vice-Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice

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Illustration by Natalia 65 Burzych

Martian playlist When preparing this publication, we have decided that we

moments in our new home. We are also going to listen to

cannot forget about one thing which is very important to all

David Bowie, but not to Space Oddity because we do not

of us – about music! You, Elon, must value it as well – other-

want to jinx it and share the fate of Major Tom. ;)

wise you wouldn’t have sent your “man” into outer space accompanied by David Bowie and his Space Oddity.

We are sending you a list of 20 titles. When choosing them, we wanted to get into the spirit of space travel. After settling

We were wondering together what we would listen to on

in, we will propagate on Mars the musical achievements

the last night before setting off for Mars, and then later in

of mankind, which are more extensive that the Martian

the course of the journey, on landing, and during the first

playlist text to.

S pac e I n va d e r s / W e Da r e to I n v i t e Yo u

The BEATLES Across the Universe

METALLICA Orion

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT Astronomy

PINK FLOYD Astronomy Domine

David BOWIE Life on Mars?

The POLICE Walking on the Moon

David BOWIE Starman

QUEEN ‘39

DEEP PURPLE Space Truckin’

Patti SMITH Space Monkey

HAWKWIND Space Is Deep

U2 Last Night on Earth

Jean-Michel JARRE Oxygene part 2

VANGELIS Rosetta

Elton JOHN Rocket Man

Richard STRAUSS Also sprach Zarathustra

JOY DIVISION Atmosphere

Jeff WAYNE The Eve of the War

MARS VOLTA Cassandra Gemini

Hans ZIMMER S.T.A.Y. (Interstellar OST)

S pac e I n va d e r s / W e Da r e to I n v i t e Yo u

Part V

Who we are, what we do?

S pac e I n va d e r s / W e Da r e to I n v i t e Yo u

Image Credit: University of69 Silesia

Silesian Science Festival Katowice The mission of our festival is: • •

to stimulate the local community’s interest in science

to contribute to development of a knowledge based

by inspiring curiosity in people of all ages,

community, where key decisions and social dialogue

to present the regions contribution to science and

are derived from reason and knowledge.

its scientific achievements, and excellent academic centers that Silesians can be proud of.,

•

to emphazize importance of communicating knowledge and science.

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Image Credit: University of71Silesia

About the festival

During the Festival in 2017 scientists and polularizers of

The 2nd edition of the Silesian Science Festival was held in

inventions and latest achievements, as well as showca-

2017. The idea of the Festival was the result of joint efforts from the Silesian higher education institutions, aimed at an effective response to the Silesian Province need to promote science and education.

November 30th to December 2nd, 2017. The first day entitled “Science on Stage” was held at the Stanisław Wyspiański Sile sian Theatre, and the following two days entitled “Silesian Science Days” at the International Congress Centre in Katowice.

industry and economy. All popular science proposals were adjusted to different age groups. The pro gramme presentations, workshops and lectures in selected fields of

knowledge:

natural

humanities

sciences,

exact

and

sciences,

social

sciences,

technical

arts,

sciences,

medical sciences. The next edition of the festival takes place 11th to 14th January 2019.

Group of recipients The recipients of the Festival were all residents of the region. The Festival was addressed to everyone, regardless of age, education and interests. The organizers wished to captivate visitors and ignite their interests in education, culture, art and inspire their curiosity of the surrounding Among

sing their innovative reserach results and its application in

featured, among others, shows, experiments, exhibitions,

The Silesian Science Festival KATOWICE 2017 took place on

world.

science shared a plethora of knowledge. Presenting their

the

invited

were

students,

Number of direct participants „Science on Stage” at the Silesian Theatre – 1,450 people Silesian Science Days at the International Congress Centre – ca. 30,000 people

teachers,

children with parents and grandparents, as well as representatives from the world of media and business.

S pac e I n va d e r s / W e Da r e to I n v i t e Yo u

Image Credit: University of73 Silesia

Image 74Credit: University of Silesia

S pac e I n va d e r s / W e Da r e to I n v i t e Yo u

Image Credit: University of75 Silesia

Dear Elon, Have you heard about the Polish Spodek? We are, of course,

hockey, basketball and volleyball). It was here that in 1976

not thinking about a “saucer” [in Polish “spodek”], which is

during the World Ice Hockey Championships we defeated

useful when drinking tea and eating biscuits and which

the Soviet Union 6:4 (you can probably guess what a victo-

is, naturally, also a unique proof of the genius of human

ry over this country meant for Poles at that time), and four

civilization. What we mean is the Spodek which is located

years ago the Polish volleyball players became world cham-

in the Polish city of Katowice. It is one of the most

pions in Spodek. Since 2014 Spodek has hosted the final

important concert and sports venues in Poland. It is a cultu-

tournaments of the Intel Extreme Masters – world

ral landmark and a symbol of Silesia.

championship in computer games: the best players of Counter-Strike and StarCraft II fight for the title.

The Spodek arena was built at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. It was one of the first facilities in the world with a roof

Elon, we will reveal a secret to you. Actually, our Spodek

made according to the tensegrity concept, which makes it

is not what everyone thinks it is. You have probably noticed

a self-supporting structure. The dome of Spodek, made of

its characteristic appearance, which is not accidental. This is

steel and with a weight of 300 tons, and its external steel

our secret spacecraft and we came to the idea of organising

ring are joined with the use of 120 carrying ropes in the form

a great space expedition. We would like Spodek to take us

of bar and string trusses which form the basis for roofing.

to the stars because, like you, we are explorers. When eve-

The effect is impressive!

rything was ready for the trip and were about to take off, a cherry-red Tesla Roadster fell down on our Spodek and da-

It was here that Metallica, The Cure and Genesis gave their

maged our control systems. We don’t know where it came

first concerts in Poland, and it was here that bands like Deep

from because we have recently seen a cherry-red Tesla flying

Purple, Judas Priest, Depeche Mode and Green Day perfor-

towards Mars.

med. Spodek is also the venue of large sports events (ice

S pac e I n va d e r s / W e Da r e to I n v i t e Yo u

Dear Elon, we believe that as one of the greatest visionaries of our times you understand our longing for the stars and feel the same irresistible urge to achieve what in the world of Star Trek was expressed as “to baldly go where no man has gone before”, and what was described by Stanisław Lem in his Return from the Stars as burning desire of daredevils setting off in great space rockets into the unknown. This is why we would like to ask you to attend the Silesian Science Festival Katowice 2019 organised by us, to visit our

Spodek and, by the way “collect” your lost property (after landing on Spodek, Tesla was slightly battered, we took it in for

W e , t h e o r g a n isi n g c o mmi t t e e ( y o u c a n s e e us on the picture), invite you to Poland and S i l esian S cience F e s t i v a l K a t o wi c e 2 0 1 9 . Pl e a s e , j o i n u s ! Yes, you can! :)

a service to a mechanic – it may now differ a bit from the original). ;)

Image Credit: Sp a c eUniversity I n v a dofeSilesia rs / We Dare to Invite You

CONTACT WITH US Silesian Science Festival KATOWICE 2019 Organizing Committee Univeristy of Silesia ul. Bankowa 12 40-007 Katowice Poland www.slaskifestiwalnauki.pl/en/ E-mail: sfn@us.edu.pl Phone: +48-512-104-427

S pac e I n va d e r s / W e Da r e to I n v i t e Yo u

See you soon!

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

S pac e I n va d e r s / W e Da r e to I n v i t e Yo u

SPACE INVADERS for Elon Musk

Articles inside

Part V Who we are, what we do?

Which language should be spoken by the colonisers of Mars?

Martian playlist

Beer on Mars?

robin Heart

video games help explore space

new materials for screening diagnostics in outer space

Mechanisms of behaviour of insects and the automatic control of artificial intelligence

The first donkey in outer space

unibot

Plants in space

acceleration of space exploration

rovers from Poland are the best in the world

Why should we invest in good pollination?

earth Bis

Part II From science fiction to non-fiction

Which mental challenges can we expect?

Hyperloop Poland

are psychologists needed on other planets?

University Atmospheric Control Laboratories

Problems with space law

Poland focuses on electromobility

It all started with coal