Upcoming events

Space is not only a place of strategic infrastructure – it is also a unique place where we can learn many things that will help us here on Earth. Exploring our solar system – for example, the Moon, Mars, or Jupiter's moons – provides us with valuable insights into the formation of planets, climate processes, and the conditions under which life can arise.

Is it still weather or already climate? Weather and climate change are global phenomena that we cannot measure without space travel. Satellite-based Earth observation provides indispensable data for climate models, environmental monitoring, weather forecasts, and disaster control. Europe is a leader in this field with programs such as Copernicus, Sentinel, and EUMETSAT—and the pressure to act is growing.

The Moon is once again moving to the center of international spaceflight ambitions – as a scientific testbed, a potential source of raw materials, and a testing environment for future missions to Mars. Europe, too, does not seek merely to take part, but to actively shape this renewed lunar focus: through robotic precursor missions, complex infrastructure concepts, and, in the longer term, its own astronaut presence. This session examines the strategic, technological, and political dimensions of Europe’s lunar ambitions.

Humans in space are not only a symbol of technical mastery – they are also a fascinating subject of medical research. The extreme environment of space profoundly affects the human body: muscle loss, bone density reduction, cardiovascular changes, and altered immune function all challenge science and research. Europe’s medical space research responds with innovative concepts and technologies.

The fascination with space has always inspired human imagination – and it remains a powerful driver of curiosity, discovery, and technological progress. Spaceflight captivates – but it needs people: engineers and technicians, scientists and visionaries. Europe faces the challenge of attracting and retaining young talent in the space sector in the face of demographic change, global competition, and a growing shortage of skilled professionals.