Prepare for an exhilarating journey to the once-unfathomable realm of Mars, hosted by Prof Tamara Davis, a virtuoso of the dark universe and astrophysical phenomena.

Featuring a distinguished panel including Jorge Vago, the visionary behind the ExoMars project, who will detail the mission’s cutting-edge capabilities in seeking signs of life on Mars; Prof Kathleen Campbell, an expert in paleoecology and astrobiology, who will explain the parallels between Earth’s oldest ecosystems and Martian geology, offering insights into the search for extraterrestrial biosignatures; and Prof Martin Van Kranendonk, a preeminent figure in early Earth research whose work on ancient life forms and geological processes provides essential clues for Mars exploration. Together, these eminent scholars will shed light on the intricacies of space exploration, the technological marvels of interplanetary missions and the profound questions they raise about life’s existence beyond our planet.

Explore the full World Science Festival program here.