Highlights from Space Group activities, Ecsite 2018
‘Creative Collisions’ was the theme at Ecsite’s annual conference at the Centre International de Conferences in Geneva, Switzerland on 5–9 June.
On 5–6 June, a preconference event organised by ESA and Ecsite Space Group, speakers and participants shared their knowledge and resources on space, and discussed the theme ‘Is there life out there?’
On the first day, ESA’s former astronaut professor Claude Nicollier presented the past, present and future of ESA Science Explorations and missions.
Participants learned about ESA’s Solar System and Exploration missions.
The Space Group could play “Alive!” the board game developed by City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain with the support of ESA and the collaboration of Ecsite.
The second day was dedicated to a tour of the Observatory of Sauverny and Écogia, host of the Integral Science Data Centre, at the forefront of Swiss space research, including exoplanetary research.
Participants were able to meet professor Michel Mayor who discovered the first exoplanet in 1993.
Conference session: “Space and Sustainable Development Goals”
On 7 June, presenters explained how space science and technology can: contribute to the preservation of Earth, support the United Nation Agenda 2030, and support a more active role in implementating the Tokyo protocol signed during the Science Centre World Summit in 2017.
Space Group at the Business Bistro
During the Ecsite Annual Conference, ESA and the Ecsite Space Group were present at the Business Bistro. The stand promoted the pilot project ‘Alive!” board game to show a pilot application developed by ESA that supports United Nation Sustainable Development goals, the “Climate Change Initiative” application, and included photos and video material for use by museums.
The Business Bistro attracted conference participants and was the meeting point for the Space Group and newcomers.
Next steps
The Ecsite Space Group will hold an annual meeting on 30–31 January 2019 at Columbus Earth Center in Kerkrade, the Netherlands.
New members will be welcomed, updated on ESA programme and achievements and plans made for participation at the 30th Ecsite Annual Conference 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
