Highlights from Space Group activities, Ecsite 2019
The 30th edition of Ecsite, “Pushing boundaries”, was held at the Experimentarium in Copenhagen, Denmark on 4–8 June.
ESA and the Ecsite Space Group organised a two-day pre-conference event on the theme “Space for All, Space for Earth” on the 4–5 June.
Day 1
During the first day, the Group were updated on ESA’s future plans, educational activities, and also information regarding the ESA shop and merchandise. Participants also learned about the Galileo programme and the Danish space activity. The afternoon was dedicated to Earth observation and climate change and how to engage both stakeholders and citizens.
Day 2
During the second day, the group visited the Planetarium in Copenhagen for an engaging astrophysics exhibition called ‘Made in Space’, where the Group also met representatives of the space industry. In the afternoon, after a space gastronomic experience, the Group explored ways to use the Planetarium as a tool for teaching.
Conference session “Bringing space down to Earth: Citizens and Applications”
On the 6 June, ESA and the Ecsite Space group held a session on “Bringing space down to Earth: Citizens and Applications”.
Ana Noronha, Executive Director of Ciência Viva, Portugal, co-chair of the Space Group, and session convenor, introduced three speakers: Paolo Corradi, System Engineer from ESA; Sander Kask, project manager from AHHAA Science Centre, Estonia; and Manuel Cira, Head of International Relations Nausicaa National Sea Experience Centre, France.
The session focused on the use of Space technologies and Earth observation data for new purposes and applications for everyday life on Earth.
After their presentations, the speakers, co-chairs and participants discussed the importance of engaging with the public on this theme and how science centres and museums could develop new collaborations.
Space Group at the business bistro
As during the previous editions, ESA and the Ecsite Space Group were present at the Annual Conference at the Business Bistro, a place to promote the European Space activities, existing resources and the second pilot project “Alive!” board game.
It was an active meeting point to resume talks about ESA and the European Space activity and to welcome new participants.
Next steps
The next step for the Group will be the annual meeting in January 2020 at ESA ESRIN in Frascati, Italy.
The group will continue to work on the topics of oceans, climate change and Earth observation with the support of ESA’s experts and resources.
The annual meeting will be also the opportunity to start work on the Ecsite Annual Conference 2020 in Ljubliana, Slovenia.
