N° 58–2024: Media invitation: ESA at the International Astronautical Congress 2024

This year’s IAC edition will be hosted by the Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronauts (AIDAA) and co-hosted by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Leonardo.  As a key member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), organizer of IAC, ESA is cordially inviting accredited journalists to the following presentations and panel sessions on-site and to connect with ESA top management and senior experts, in particular at the ESA booth. 

IAC Venue - ESA Booth: MS-D07 – Floor: Level 0, MICO Convention Centre, Via Gattamelata, 6, Milan, Italy - via Gate 2 (Portello underground station) and Gate 16 (Piazzale Carlo Magno). 

Main ESA Activities for Journalists  

Monday, 14 October 

• 09:30-10:30 - IAC Opening Ceremony at IAC Gold Hall with ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, including further ESA top management and ESA astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti, Luca Parmitano, Alexander Gerst, John McFall, Anthea Comellini, etc. (with photo opportunities) 

• 12:30 - 12:50 - RISE Mission Development Contract Signing at ESA booth.  This event marks the signing of a contract to advance in-orbit servicing technologies, with VIP attendees including ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, Adolfo Urso, Italy’s Minister of Economic Development, Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and ESA astronauts such as Luca Parmitano.

 

• 13:00-14:00 – Panel on Vega lessons learnt. Stefano Bianchi, Head of Flight Programmes at ESA, will present key lessons learnt from the Vega programme, in coordination with Avio on the ESA booth. This session will provide insights into the challenges and successes of Vega, offering a detailed look into the technical and operational experiences gained.

• 15:30 - 16:00 - Zero Debris Charter Signature Ceremony at ESA booth.  The ceremony will unite a steadily increasing group of leaders in the space sector to commit to achieving a Zero Debris environment by 2030, emphasizing the necessity for sustainable practices in space. Participants include ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, Holger Krag, Head of ESA Space Safety, astronauts and further senior debris experts. 

• 16:00 – 17:00 - Prize award ceremony of “ESA Rising stars” space companies at ESA booth. Lead by Géraldine Naja, ESA Director for Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, awarding particularly promising, European space companies. CEOs of awarded companies are assisting. 

Tuesday, 15 October 

• 10:00 - 13:30 - IAF Space Leaders’ Summit with ESA DG Josef Aschbacher in IAC Gold Hall. This summit provides a platform for global space agency leaders (ESA, NASA, JAXA, ISRO, etc.) to discuss capabilities for sustainable space activities offering a unique opportunity for coordination and collaboration between space agencies worldwide. 

• 10:00 - 10:30 – SAFEPLACE and CISERES Contract Signatures at ESA booth. Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director for Connectivity and Secure Communications and Simonetta Cheli, ESA's Director of Earth Observation, joined by Nicola Mann, Head of Professional Engineering Services – Starion, and Simone Centuori, CEO of Deimos. Both contracts are under ESA’s Civil Security from Space programme which aims to enhance crisis response and emergency management through resilient satellite data, ensuring that need-specific information remains accessible even when ground systems fail. 

• 10:30 - 11:00 - Harmony Contract Signature Ceremony at ESA booth.  Simonetta Cheli, ESA's Director of Earth Observation, joined by Rüdiger Schönfeld, OHB Board Member, and TAS-Italy. The new mission of the Earth Explorers family aims at enhancing Earth observation capabilities by integrating satellite data, providing insights for monitoring climate change and natural resources (polar ice caps, volcanos eruptions, earthquakes, etc). 

• 11:00 – 12:00 – ESA Moonlight signature event at ESA booth. Future communications and navigation satellite constellation around the Moon, presented by ESA Directors Laurent Jaffart (Connectivity and Secure Communications), Javier Benedicto (Navigation) and Daniel Neuenschwander (Human and Robotic Exploration) as well as ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, ASI, UK Space Agency and Industry representatives.  

• 12:00 - 13:00 - Panel on Satellite Navigation at ESA booth.  This session, led by Javier Benedicto, ESA Director of Navigation, will present how new, European Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies are set to transform mobility, addressing future user needs and identifying critical systems for seamless transportation. Panellists include Rodrigo Da Costa, Head of EUSPA and Joost Vantomme, CEO Ertico.  

• cancelled - (15:00-16:00 - Boost! and the European Launcher Challenge at ESA booth. Experts from the ESA Directorate of Space Transportation, led by Thilo Kranz, will presentation new perspectives for commercial space transportation in Europe, the “Boost!” programme, European launcher start-ups, etc.)

• 17:00 - 18:00 - WIA-Europe Award Ceremony at ESA booth. Simonetta Cheli, ESA's Director of Earth Observation, receives the 2024 WIA-Europe Outstanding Achievements Award (Women in Aerospace) for her exceptional contributions to the aerospace sector and her exemplary leadership in promoting sustainability and innovation in Earth observation. 

• 18:15 - 18:35 - Euclid Mission Image Unveiling at Auditorium Level 3.  ESA's Euclid mission will unveil a groundbreaking new view of the Universe, with the participation of ESA DG Josef Aschbacher and ESA Director for Science Prof. Carole Mundell. The session will feature a unique, new image from Euclid's first year, demonstrating its ability to explore dark matter and energy. 

Wednesday, 16 October 

• 10:30 – 11:00 – HydRON, high-speed optical communications in space at ESA booth.
  Signature event with ESA DG Josef Aschbacher, Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director for Connectivity and Secure Communcations, with (Mr) Mina Mitry, Co-Founder and CEO of Kepler , Walter Pelzer, DG DLR Space Agency, Lisa Campbell, DG Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Alexander Gerst, ESA astronaut and former ISS Commander, etc. HydRON aims to demonstrate the world’s first all optical multi-orbit transport network in space, extending terrestrial fibre-based networks seamlessly into space, including Quantum Communications (ScyLight) -  “Fibre in the Sky” and “Internet beyond Clouds". 

• 12:15 - 12:30 - Axiom 4 Mission Agreement Signature at ESA booth.  The VIP gathering will involve the signing of the Axiom 4 Mission agreement, attended by ESA DG Josef Aschbacher, the ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration (HRE), Daniel Neuenschwander, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Sreedhara Somanath and Alexander Gerst, ESA astronaut and former ISS Commander. This mission represents another ESA effort to enhance international partnerships in space exploration. 

• 14:30 – 16:00 – Astronauts and ESA DG on Human Exploration ambitions in Europe at ESA booth. With ESA DG Josef Aschbacher, ESA HRE Director Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti, Luca Parmitano and Alexander Gerst - presenting upcoming ESA projects such as LEO Cargo Return Service, Argonaut Lunar Lander, Lightship, etc. 

• 16:00 - 17:00 - Contract signing for IRIDE satellite constellation at ESA booth.  The signing concerns the industrial production of the second batch of satellites for the IRIDE constellation - with Simonetta Cheli, ESA Director of Earth Observation, along with ESA DG Josef Aschbacher, Teodoro Valente, ASI President, European Commission and industry such as TAS-Italy. The event recalls IRIDE's role as a leading Earth observation constellation, coordinated by ESA and supported by the Italian Government, aiming to enhance geospatial services for institutional users. 

• 16:30 – 17:20 “Accessibility of Human Spaceflight” GNF forum at Red Hall, level 1. Panel with ESA astronaut John McFall (Fly! Feasibility study), ESA HRE Director Daniel Neuenschwander, Paul Bate, UK Space Agency CEO, Joel Montalbano, Deputy Ass. Administrator for Space Operations, NASA – moderated by Ersilia Vaudo, ESA Chief Diversity Officer 

• 18:30-20:00   private opening – exhibition "Forests seen from Space – Echoes of the Vaia Storm" at Leica Galerie, Duomo di Milano .ESA and Leica open the exhibition at Leica Galerie Milano, featuring photographer Alessandro Cinque’s work on the Vaia storm's impact alongside ESA satellite images. The exhibition emphasizes the role of space technology in forest monitoring and environmental protection, with the opening by Simonetta Cheli, ESA Earth Observation Director, ESA experts and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano discussing the collaboration's significance and its aim to inspire future generations on environmental issues. 

Thursday, 17 October 

• 11:30 - 12:30 - Space Tech Report Presentation at ESA booth.  This session will provide insights into the latest trends in the space economy – including Gianluigi Baldesi, ESA Directorate for Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness. It will unveil new features of the Dealroom Space Tech Guide, an essential resource for navigating the evolving space industry. Participants will receive an in-depth analysis of current trends and key drivers shaping the sector. 

• 13:00 - 14:00 - 2024 Global Exploration Roadmap/ISECG Presentation at ESA booth.  It will showcase the collaborative efforts of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG), consisting of 27 space agencies led by ESA. The session will feature key representatives, including ESA HRE Director Daniel Neuenschwander Catherine Koerner, NASA Associate Administrator for Exploration, and astronauts. 

• 13:30 – 14:30 – IAF Astronaut Press Conference at IAC 2024 (foyer 1/2, level 1) including Luca Parmitano, ESA astronaut and former ISS Commander 

• 15:30 - 16:00 - Joint Statement for Responsible Space Sector signing at ESA booth.  The signature session represents a key initiative aimed at fostering a sustainable and inclusive space industry. The event will feature ESA’s Director General Josef Aschbacher, and Andrea Vena, ESA Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer, along with new signatories. This collaboration aims to support sustainable development and protect the integrity of space for future generations. 

Friday, 18 October 

Traditional general public day at IAC, at ESA booth, including moderated Q+A sessions with leading ESA experts on Earth observation, space science, launchers, astronautics incl. Luca Parmitano – and related astronaut autograph sessions, quizzes on space missions, etc. Public day opening at 10:30.

• 9:00-10:00  –  Ariane 6 Late-breaking news Location: Auditorium, Level 3, South Wing, MiCo Convention Centre.Pier Domenico Resta, Head of Ariane Launch System and Engineering Division, along with representatives from Arianegroup, Arianespace, and CNES, will revisit the inaugural flight of Ariane 6. The session will emphasize the crucial role of cooperation and collaboration in achieving this milestone. Participants will discuss the technical aspects of the project, its origins, and the collective efforts that propelled it forward, reaffirming Europe’s resurgence in space transportation.

• 11:00 - 12:00 - ESA Space Sustainability Wrap-up at ESA booth.  Join the wrap-up session on ESA’s sustainability initiatives, covering Clean Space Office, Space Technology for Sustainability, and Zero Debris Charter. Moderated by Andrea Vena, it will provide a concise overview of key discussions and commitments from the IAC. 

• 12:00 - 12:30 - Ex Oblivione: From Space Junk to Art at ESA booth.  The "Ex Oblivione: From Space Junk to Art" session highlights how this ESA startup repurposes unused space assets into art. Founder Guillaume Prigent will share projects that promote responsible space exploration and support training for a diverse workforce, partnering with ESA, Airbus, TAS, and CNES, French Space Agency. 

• 13:00 – 15:00 – moderated panel sessions and Q+As at ESA booth.

• 14:30 – 15:30 – ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano and former ISS Commander, at astronaut panel – at IAC Auditorum level 3, south wing   “No Risk, No Fun”, recalling his stunning experiences with EVAs (Extra Vehicular Activities in space, “Space Walks”) .

• 15:45 – 16:30 – ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano speaks about astronaut experiences and future Moon missions - at ESA booth. Current and future Moon exploration projects (Artemis/Orion, ESA Argonaut, Moonlight, etc.), discussing with general public. 

More Information

Media Accreditation and Contacts 

Media can register to IAC for free at: Welcome (iaf-registration.org)

Important notice: although accredited journalists can join Technical Sessions as observers, they are forbidden to present papers.  

For further information and interviews, please contact ESA Media Relations present on site at IAC: 

Bernhard von Weyhe, ESA HQ / Paris (focus on ESA DG Josef Aschbacher), Email: bvw@esa.int  / media@esa.int  

Roberta Stazi, Media Relations (for all ESA speakers), ESA ESRIN / Frascati – roberta.stazi@ext.esa.int / media@esa.int  – mob: +39.338.9344969 

Cyrielle Bouju, Astronaut Communications Officer, ESA/EAC (for all astronaut Press inquiries) - cyrielle.bouju@esa.int  

Further information on IAC 
Home Page - IAC2024 

Images 

ESA's Photo Library for Professionals:  
https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/  

Terms and conditions for using ESA images:  
www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images 

 For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly spaceinimages@esa.int.  

Videos

ESA's Video Library for Professionals:  

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos 

Terms and conditions for using ESA videos:  
https://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Terms_and_Conditions 

Social Media

Twitter: @esa 
Facebook: @EuropeanSpaceAgency 
Instagram: @europeanspaceagency 
YouTube: ESA 
LinkedIn: European Space Agency - ESA 
Pinterest: European Space Agency - ESA 

About the European Space Agency 

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.  

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world  

ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia are Associate Members.  

ESA has established formal cooperation with other four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.  

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.  

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int