RIA Innovation Conference ‘shoots for the stars’ with new Apollo astronaut headliner

The Railway Industry Association’s (RIA) Innovation Conference says its new, exciting keynote speaker, Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke, will share his insights into what rail can learn from space missions at an exclusive interview.

During his time at NASA, Charlie was the flight controller on Apollo 11, part of the ground team in the Apollo 13 rescue and an astronaut on the Apollo 16 mission – he is also the tenth man to walk on the moon.

Taking place from 28-30 April 2021, RIA’s award-winning virtual Innovation Conference will feature a wide range of keynote addresses, workshops, and extensive networking opportunities around the theme of the Railway of the Future.

David Clarke, Technical Director at RIA, said: “We are very excited to reveal that Charlie Duke will be a keynote speaker at this year’s RIA Innovation Conference, in a ‘giant leap’ for our flagship innovation event.

“Space exploration and rail actually have much in common, with large, complex, integrated systems required and a strong need for engineering excellence and collaboration. We have invited Charlie to share his experience of the Apollo missions – perhaps the ultimate example of human innovation – and what the rail sector can learn from his career, as we examine what a railway of the future will look like.

“The Innovation Conference is open to all, both from across the rail industry and beyond. We look forward to what promises to be an exciting three days of events and networking on the pioneering innovation going on in the rail sector.” 

RIA’s Innovation Conference brings together innovators, clients and policymakers from across the sector and beyond, to showcase some of the leading technologies and projects, and help connect members of the rail industry involved in innovation.

Strategic Partners for the Conference include Network Rail and the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN). The Conference’s confirmed sponsors are Platinum Sponsor Knorr-Bremse, Gold Sponsor Altran and Silver Sponsors Porterbrook and Harmonic – who are sponsoring the session with Charlie Duke.

To find out more and register, click here.

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