Ecsite 2023: boosting communication about science
Hosted this year by the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, the Ecsite 2023 Conference brought together a large number of science professionals from over 50 countries.
Between 15 and 17 June, Ecsite 2023 saw the participation of over 850 attendees and 350 expert speakers from more than 50 countries.
With more than 70 sessions, the three-day conference explored a wide range of topics to inspire the community of science professionals and museums and boost the engagement with the public about science.
“Space research: from the wonders of the Universe to the challenges of humankind?”
One of the sessions of the conference was “Space research: from the wonders of the Universe to the challenges of humankind?”. This provided a forum for many ESA experts and speakers from other partner organisations. The session included presentations on ESA’s latest scientific discoveries and current and future space missions (from the Gaia space observatory to upcoming missions such as Juice and Artemis).
Speakers also discussed discoveries made through observations of the Universe from space, as well as examples of practical applications that address crucial challenges on our planet. Examples of these uses for space science include: use of data from Earth observation missions for the study of climate change, cooperation with the European Council to develop an independent navigation system (Galileo), and the technological projects to tackle the growing problem of space debris. The session allowed participants not only to discover the latest news on current and future space missions but also to share resources and innovative ways to engage with the public visiting European Science Centres and Museums. After the presentations, the participants had the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the speakers.
ESA booth at Ecsite 2023
ESA was present at the Ecsite Conference 2023 with a booth. The stand, located in the Business Bistrot at the Mediterranean Conference Center, represented a platform to promote existing resources, where visitors had the chance to learn about the collaboration opportunities offered by the Ecsite Space Group.
The booth attracted much interest from the conference participants. Sandra Benitez Herrera and Raquel Garcia Hernandez, co-chair and coordinator of the Ecsite Space Group, welcomed and interacted with visitors, offering an overview on ESA’s activities in the areas of Space Transportation, Earth observation, Navigation, Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, Planetary Science, and Human Spaceflight and Exploration.
What’s next? Space Group Annual Meeting
The next Space Group Annual Meeting is planned from 30 November to 1 December 2023 at ESOC, the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany. More information will follow.
For further information, contact:
Raquel García Hernández
Space Group Coordinator for ESA
Tel: +34 679 82 16 03
Email: raquel.garcia@ext.esa.int
Sandra Benítez Herrera
Education Scientist and ESAC Communication Officer, ESA co-chair of the Space Group
Tel: +34 609665424
Email: sandra.benitezherrera@esa.int
Here is a collection of photographs capturing the highlights of the conference.
