N° 16–2019: Talking space with the next generation in Europe

As part of this year’s European Space Talks campaign, students across Europe are invited to take part in a special online debate on 8 October dedicated to sharing their ideas on what European space activities should be achieving.

The students will take part in an online poll across Europe, the results of which will be shared at Space19+, the name given to ESA Ministerial Council, to represent the thoughts of those who will deliver the next generation of space missions.

Universities will be connected from all over the Europe (Helsinki, Bremen, Graz, Bristol) to hear the presentations and interact with the presenters including ESA astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Claudie Haigneré and ESA Director General Jan Wörner. Students of engineering, economics, business, law, science and the arts all have a stake in the future of the space industry and what challenges space missions.

The main event will be hosted by HEC Business School in Paris in collaboration with ESA and ESTACA Engineering School. Around 1200 students with an interest in the future of space will gather at HEC.

ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, in full support of this initiative, says: “I remember being a young engineering student passionate about aviation and spaceflight. This is the time to talk about the future that this generation will build for all of us, and ensure that we make every preparation for the best use of space for all of Europe and humankind.”

One the highlights for the students will be the live connection to the International Space Station to hear from Italian ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano. Luca, who was launched to the International Space Station on 20 July on his Beyond mission, will address topics related to Space19+ www.esa.int/space19plus

Media are invited to join the event online from 1800 CEST on 8 October (https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/European_Space_Talk_live), and space enthusiasts can connect with the event on ESA’s social media channels. Presentations will be conducted in English.

Join European #SpaceTalks

European Space Talks are a chance for everyone across Europe to share their passion for space. Speakers come from a whole range of space organisations and private companies – people whose work benefits everyday life now, and who are building technology for our lives of tomorrow, on Earth and beyond. Details of all the talks are on the dedicated website www.spacetalks.net, available in five languages, and participants can add events taking place up to and including 31 October.

“It is my wish to bring the next space generation on board and to involve them in a large debate about the future of space. On this occasion, I will share my vision with them but would also like to hear the voice of these young students, the future space players who will make our dreams and expectations a reality through new programmes and activities that will respond to upcoming challenges for humankind and for the planet,” says Jan Wörner.

Organisers of the Space Talks are free to propose any topic ranging from Earth observation, astronautics, new technology development to biology or art – and of course, in this year of the fiftieth anniversary of Apollo 11, the journey forward to the Moon. Dozens of Space Talks have already been held this year, with more to come at the ESA Open Day at ESTEC in the Netherlands on 6 October. Meanwhile, on 12 October, ESA will organise a series of Space Talks on stage at the ‘Festival Atmosphères’ [link to https://www.atmospheresfestival.com], in Courbevoie, France, dedicated to sustainable development, science and societal issues and considering how human life will function off Earth.

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, of whom 20 are Member States of the EU.

ESA has established formal cooperation with seven other 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.

ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.

Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int

For further information:

ESA Newsroom and Media Relations

Email: media@esa.int

Tel: +31 71 565 64 09