26 November 16:15–19:00, 2024, LUX-C126, Lund.  Invited speakers: Johan Lagerkvist (Stockholm University), Erik Persson (Lund University) & Sandra Siljeström (RISE Research Institute of Sweden). Chair: David Dunér.

There are advanced, concrete plans to establish space stations on the Moon and Mars, and to set up mining industries on asteroids and other celestial bodies. Countries new to the space race, as well as private industry, are now competing to achieve these goals. Meantime, deadly asteroids travel at high speed straight towards Earth, and an accelerating climate and ecological crisis might soon make Earth uninhabitable. The dream of future human life on other planets clearly connects to apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic traditions. If life on Earth perishes in a global cataclysm, humanity could survive, one hopes, in a post-apocalyptic civilization on another planet.

Schedule:

16:15–Introduction: David Dunér

16:20–”China in Space”: Johan Lagerkvist

16:40–”Mars exploration”: Sandra Siljeström

17:00–”Terraforming and colonialization of Mars”: Erik Persson

17:20–Discussion. Chair: David Dunér

17:30–Coffee break

18:00– Panel on“Post-Apocalyptic Space Imaginaries”: Johan Lagerkvist, Erik Persson, & Sandra Siljeström. Chair: David Dunér

18:45–Conclusion