Space Dave (Dave Owen) at his 'mission control' from where he can control all of his simulations and presentations related to space travel and astronomy.
The late David Bowie asked the question - Is there life on Mars? Next week Professor Malcolm Walter will speak about 'The Search for Life on Mars' at the Te Awamutu Space Centre.
He is a Professor of Astrobiology at the University of New South Wales and has worked for
35 years on the geological evidence of early life on Earth, including the earliest convincing evidence of life.
Since 1989 he has been funded by NASA in their exobiology and astrobiology programs, focusing on microbial life in high temperature ecosystems, and the search for life on Mars.
Professor Walter is a member of the Executive Council of NASA's Astrobiology Institute and has published more than 100 articles and several books including The Search for Life on Mars in 1999.
In 2004 he was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.