The Cassini spacecraft, which has been circling Saturn for 13 years, is set for a spectacular grand finale to its mission on Friday, when it will be sent into the planet's atmosphere, burning up and disintegrating like a meteor in the process.
The importance of international collaboration with Cassini, and similar missions, will be explored in the third annual Colin Pillinger memorial talk entitled 'Once explorers, always explorers - Europe's role in space exploration' on 10 November in the Wills Memorial Building.
This year's speaker is Dr David Parker, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency, who will give a personal and engaging insight into Europe's role in the past, present and future of space exploration.
Dr Parker, who was previously Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, has worked on a number of pioneering missions such as the Rosetta comet chaser and advised a succession of ministers on space policy choices, including the UK's decision to join the European Space Agency's Programme for Human Spaceflight and Microgravity in 2012, which in turn facilitated Tim Peake's hugely successful 'Principia' mission to the International Space Station.
The lecture series was established by the Pillinger family in 2015 in memory of Colin, his career and his connection with the city of Bristol.
Professor Colin Pillinger CBE FRS, who was born and educated in Kingswood, started his scientific career as part of the University of Bristol team analysing the Apollo lunar samples.
Over the next four decades, his famed career found tantalising evidence of life on Mars while his bushy sideburns and westcountry accent became known worldwide.
Colin's widow, Judith, said: "This year's talk will demonstrate how the legacy of the research that Colin was involved in lives on in an ever-expanding range of space exploration applications. It also shows that being involved in space science and technology can offer exciting career opportunities for many young people.
"Colin loved to share his excitement of being involved in cutting-edge science with people who did not think of themselves as scientists, and we hope the talk will appeal to lots of people from different walks of life."
- The Third Annual Colin Pillinger Memorial Talk takes place at 6.30pm on Friday, 10 November, in the Wills Memorial Building. Tickets are free but booking is required.
Members of the public are being urged to submit questions on the booking form for Dr David Parker when they book their ticket. The best ones will be selected in advance and those asking will be invited to pose their question in person, as well as winning an exclusive goody bag provided by the European Space Agency.