Lecture series „Europas Zukunft im Weltraum“
(SoSe 2026)
Space travel is entering a new era in which astonishing technological advances and substantial geopolitical changes are shaping the strategic landscape. Given the complex situation, Europeans must continuously adapt their own capabilities, objectives, and strategies in space in order not only to keep pace with increasing global competition, but also to safeguard their own interests in space in the long term and sustainably.
Promoting innovation, ensuring security and resilience, and actively shaping international governance structures are crucial for successful government and business action, prosperity for society as a whole, and Europe's future success in space. Through a forward-looking combination of technological excellence, astropolitical foresight, and economic dynamism, Europe can maintain its position as a leading player in global space travel.
The lecture series aims to highlight relevant topics in the various segments through expert presentations, thereby helping to illustrate the high relevance of critical infrastructure in space for the lives of people in Europe and beyond.
The patron of the lecture series is Mona Neubaur, Deputy Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia.
In close cooperation with:
Scientific Organizer
Events of the lecture series
Europe's place in space – Why space travel is a key issue of the 21st century
April 14, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl
Special Advisor for Political Affairs at the European Space Agency (ESA)
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Vulnerability in space – resilience strategies for Europe in space travel
April 21, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
To Be Announced
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Orbit as an operating room – Europe's security architecture in space
April 28, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
Major General Michael Traut
Commander of the German Armed Forces Space Command
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Space Economy made in Europe – Dynamics, competition, prospects for the space market
May 5, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
To Be Announced
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Sovereign Signals – Europe's Path to Secure Satellite Communications
May 12, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
To Be Announced
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Time, space, sovereignty – Europe's Galileo system as strategic infrastructure
May 19, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
Dr. Alexander Weiß
Head of the Navigation Division at the German Aerospace Center (DLR)
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The Eye in the Sky – How Europe's satellites record weather phenomena and climate change
May 26, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
Dr. Peter Dueben
Head of the Earth System Modeling Department at the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
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The final frontier? – What we learn about Earth from space
June 2, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
Prof. Dr. Michael Lauster
Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Technological and Scientific Trend Analysis and Chair of Technology Analysis and Forecasting
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Destination Red Planet – Europe's role in Mars exploration
June 9, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
To Be Announced
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Back to the Moon – Europe’s Next Major Step in Space
June 16, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | House of Education, VHS Bonn (room change)
Maria Hallinger
Research assistant for the LUNA project at the German Aerospace Center (DLR)
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Ground-Based Space Medicine Research for Life in Microgravity
June 23, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 pm | House of Education, VHS Bonn (room change)
Dr. Stefan Möstl
Research assistant in the field of aerospace medicine at the German Aerospace Center (DLR)
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From Earth to the Stars – Turning Inspiration into the Future
June 30, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 pm | Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn
To Be Announced
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