LETI’s Lecture Opens Minds To New Things
A lecture on space technologies in fantastic universes was held at LETI, where experts talked about how to make them more realistic from the point of view of science and discussed the difficulties that humanity must overcome to explore outer space.
25.04.2023 75
On April 14, a lecture dedicated to the Day of Cosmonautics was held at LETI. Representatives of the “Physics for Humanities” project spoke about space technologies in fantasy universes and how they can be made more realistic in terms of science. The event was organized by LETI international services.
Renat Yalyshev, Head of the International Students Office, opened the lecture.
“April 12 is an important date for our country because on this day the first human space flight took place. LETI is related to space programs: those that were then and those that are being implemented now. International students who would like to study Aerospace Engineering often write to us. We answer them that there is no such program at LETI, but there are related programs. As far as I know, the university is now running two projects, the first of which is related to biomedicine and diagnostics of the cosmonaut’s condition, and the second to positioning and navigation.”
Renat Yalyshev, Head of the International Students Office at LETI
Maria Kuporova, a space systems design engineer and a teacher of the Gherman Titov Cosmonautics Junior Club, spoke about the difficulties that humanity needs to overcome to explore deep space and the innovations that help to overcome these obstacles. For example, the current weight of modules and equipment is too high for large-scale expeditions. An experimental inflatable module attached to the ISS is intended to solve this problem. Obstacles also include the demand for super heavy-lift launch vehicles and new types of engines, protection from radiation, and solving the problem of muscle atrophy in microgravity.
Georgy Tims, a physicist, science popularizer, and speaker of the Rosatom Academy, spoke about how the engineers handled these difficulties in fantasy universes. Not all of the ships are realistic in terms of science, so the expert presented more plausible models and explained the physical principles on which the changes are based. For example, the famous X-wing, on which Luke Skywalker blew up the Death Star, lost its cross-shaped wings and got a launch vehicle to take off. For the ships from the Mass Effect, Star Wars Warhammer, and Star Trek universes, speaker examples of similar developments from the real world.
“This lecture was very fascinating because we talked not only about space, which in itself is very interesting to me but also about movies and games with a space theme. I think events like this are important because they open the mind to new things and give you a new perspective on the world that you wouldn’t get in regular classes,” said Jafar Fadil Dewantara, a student of the Preparatory Department for International Students at ETU “LETI.”
The lecture, dedicated to Cosmonautics Day, is part of the adaptation program conducted by LETI’s international services. International students of the university make friends, learn more about other cultures and life in Russia, and celebrate major international holidays together. University employees help students discover their talents at city creative competitions and find the right professional path at career guidance meetings.