Science Fiction or our Future?

Just imagine gazing at Earth from the Moon or Mars, what would your go-to snack be?

Growing food in space is no longer science fiction; it is a real challenge scientists are actively working to solve. Space farming involves cultivating plants in extreme environments with low gravity, limited water and nutrients, and confined spaces, all while keeping plants healthy without constant human care.

In this talk, we’ll journey through the evolution of space farming and discover how autonomous agriculture is turning it into a reality. With the help of cutting-edge technologies scientists monitor, predict, and respond to plant needs in real time, allowing crops to thrive in the harsh and unforgiving conditions of space. We’ll also take a look at the pioneering work of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space at the University of Western Australia, and how their innovations are supporting sustainable space farming.

WA contains one of six arid mangrove systems on Earth. How do we monitor these remote, dynamic coasts? Using multi-decadal satellite data and drone surveys, this talk reveals 'hidden' and transitional habitats of these sometimes muddy land–sea edges.