Europeans: once explorers, always explorers

David Parker, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, Timo Stuffler, OHB, Director Business Development, Oliver Juckenhoefel, Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Vice President On-Orbit Services and Exploration, Mark McCaughrean, ESA Senior Advisor for Science & Exploration, Alex Brown, ESERO Manager – UK and Christina Giannopapa, ESA Political Affairs Office. Panel on Europeans: once explorers, always explorers, at the Berlin Air and Space Show, 27 April 2018.

Celebrating the Columbus 10 year anniversary, this session discussed the future role of Europe and Germany in a new era of global exploration. Exploration and science in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) remains a cornerstone for Europe and Germany but also the Moon, Mars and beyond are now in the line of sight. The European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P) is ESA’s instrument to ensure that Europeans are part of the next steps in a context where e.g. USA, Russia, and China have concrete plans to go back to the surface of the Moon and return samples from Mars. In an open dialogue between representatives from the political decision makers, the younger generation, industry, and space agencies and the audience following key-messages were delivered.