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30. May 2025

Dr. Enrico Fels on WDR 5: 50 Years of ESA – Europe's Role in Space Dr. Enrico Fels on WDR 5: 50 Years of ESA – Europe's Role in Space

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency (ESA), Dr. Enrico Fels, Managing Director of CASSIS Bonn, discussed the significance of space research for Europe on WDR 5's "Tagesgespräch". He emphasized that ESA not only promotes scientific excellence but also enables strategic autonomy for Europe in space.

Dr. Enrico Fels on WDR 5: 50 Years of ESA – Europe's Role in Space
Dr. Enrico Fels on WDR 5: 50 Years of ESA – Europe's Role in Space © wdr
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Dr. Fels highlighted that investments in space exploration, such as the €3.5 billion Germany contributes annually to ESA, serve not only research purposes but also Europe's security and economic development. He underscored the necessity of strengthening Europe's own capabilities in space to become less dependent on other spacefaring nations.

The discussion also addressed the challenges of space research, including costs, space debris management, and the strategic importance of space in geopolitical contexts. Dr. Fels advocated for a balanced view that considers both the opportunities and risks associated with space exploration.

https://www1.wdr.de/radio/wdr5/sendungen/tagesgespraech/250530-100.html

Dr. Enrico Fels is the Managing Director of the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Economics, Society as well as German Studies (two-subject bachelor) from Ruhr University Bochum and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Australian National University, where he was also T.B. Millar Scholar in Strategic and Defence Studies. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Bonn in 2016 with a comprehensive study of the power shift in Asia-Pacific. The thesis, published by Springer, was favorably reviewed in various journals.