Minister of Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia, inaugurating the Campus Party Europe

These greeting words, coming from the Space Station high above Earth, proved today that one of the biggest Internet-related events in the world, the Campus Party, reaches even outer space.  
 

	NASA astronaut 'TJ' Creamer

The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation presents Campus Party Europe 2010 in Madrid from 14-18 April, appropriately, during the Spanish Presidency of the European Union. Campus Party Europe brings together 800 young people from the 27 EU member states, for a programme of conferences, workshops, demos and lots of ideas about science, digital creativity and innovation. ESA and the Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) are very active content providers.

The Campus Party is a huge ‘get together’ event for web lovers from different communities to exchange ideas and knowledge. Created in Málaga, Spain, in 1997 as a low-profile youth initiative, the Party has grown steadily over the years and is now considered one of the biggest electronic entertainment events of the online world. Annual editions of the Campus Party take place usually in Sao Paulo (Brazil), Bogotá (Colombia), Valencia (Spain) and Mexico City (Mexico).
 
 
During the formal inauguration event this morning, Cristina Garmendia, Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, said, “With Campus Party Europe, the Spanish presidency of the European Union wants to unify and share Europe’s talent and knowledge. These 800 youngsters from all EU countries are a sign of Europe’s present and future, and make up the largest concentration of digital talent in Europe, and as well as a model for international cooperation and shared knowledge.”
 
 

	Jean-François Clervoy at Campus Party Europe

A focus on space exploration
 
This edition of the Campus Party focuses on science and technology, with sections dedicated to robotics, space and astronomy, and ‘modding’ – the science of modifying computers to make them not only faster and more powerful, but also ‘greener’, meaning more efficient in their energy consumption.

ESA’s exhibition stand underlines ESA programmes and is a key attraction at the event. The Campus Party programme also includes a conference with ESA astronaut Jean-François Clervoy, in which he describes his work and life in space during his three space missions. Clervoy has travelled twice on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis and once on Discovery, spending a total of 675 hours in space.
 
 

Jean-François Clervoy with ExoMars rover model

In addition, Dr Jorge Vago, ESA’s ExoMars Project Scientist, will talk about the current plans for Mars exploration, and specifically about ESA’s ExoMars missions to be launched in 2016 and 2018 in cooperation with NASA.

The ExoMars missions will include a martian rover, carrying a suite of analytical instruments dedicated to exobiology and geochemistry research, prepared to collect and analyse samples from below the martian surface.

From the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Timothy ‘TJ’ Creamer added, “One day, the web may reach the Moon, or even Mars! The Campus Party is a unique event that brings together the spirit of several hundreds of young pioneers, explorers and innovators; a spirit that we share with you as astronauts. From the International Space Station, we wish all of you an excellent Campus Party!”