Arizona State University’s BEYOND Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science and Center for Science and the Imagination announce two upcoming free events.

On Thursday 25 October, at 7:30PM, is the 2012 Eugene Shoemaker Memorial Lecture. This year, the lecture is entitled “Human Spaceflight—Why Aren’t We Boldly Going?” presented by astronaut Andrew Thomas. ASU offers this abstract: “No human being has set foot on another world for four decades. Science fiction writers and visionary scientists continue to imagine a cosmic destiny for mankind, but how do their dreams appear to professional astronauts, the men and women at the sharp end of space exploration? The 2012 Eugene Shoemaker Memorial Lecture will provide a rare opportunity to learn the insights of one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts, Australian-born engineer Andrew Thomas. An inspiring and entertaining speaker, Dr. Thomas can address with unique authority the vexing issue of why we are not – at least yet – boldly going far beyond the confines of our home planet.”

The lecture will be in Neeb Hall on ASU’s Tempe Campus, 920 S. Forest Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required, and seating is limited (plan to arrive before 7). To RSVP, see this page.

The next day, 26 October, will be a one-day symposium (10AM – 6PM) entitled “Future of Humans in Space: Re-kindling the Dream”. Of the symposium, they write “When Neil Armstrong took his famous ‘one small step’ on the moon, it seemed to many people that it was the first step on a stairway to the stars. But 43 years on humans remain stuck in low Earth orbit. Can the dream of mankind spreading far beyond Earth be re-kindled, and if so how? Why are humans in space anyway, and where do we go next?

“The Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science and the School of Earth and Space Exploration invite you to a one-day special symposium to explore in depth the challenge of human space exploration. Guest speakers include George Whitesides of Virgin Galactic, Robert Zubrin of Mars Direct fame, science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson and experienced astronaut Andrew Thomas, plus ASU faculty.”

The agenda is on this page, as is the opportunity to register for the symposium and the various presentations.