Inspiring start of the European Space Solutions Conference
Keeping our feet dry, improving Earth's climate, making disaster relief more efficiënt and a road full of self-driving cars. Space technology will play a vital role in these and other global challenges we face on Earth. This week 1,500 space professionals discuss the future of European space activities during the European Space Solutions Conference (ESSC) in The Hague.
Dutch Astronaut André Kuipers launched the conference by taking the audience on a 15-minute trip around the world, sharing his views from space and talking about the beauty of our planet as well as its vulnerability. He emphasized the importance of earth observation satellites and other space technology to counter problems such as air pollution, climate change and feeding an increasing population, calling on space professionals in the audience: 'Your work can help keep our planet in good shape.'
Henk Kamp, Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, forsees big opportunities for space technology in the coming decades. 'We need to translate upstream technology and data into more downstream technologies in order to boost growth and create jobs and to solve the grand challenges of our time', he said in his key note speech.
However, there is one thing to keep in mind, said European Commissioner for the Internal Market Elżbieta Bieńkowska: 'Space is an enabler of solutions for political challenges, it is a factor of growth. But the only way we can succeed is if we join forces in Europe. The competition should not be between European countries, but with the rest of the world.'
European countries are already working closely together in space. For example in the civilian satellite navigation system Galileo and the earth observation satellites of Copernicus. In this weeks conference participants will discuss the seemingly endless possibilities of both programmes for challenges concerning everyones daily life on earth: Agriculture & Food, Mobiliy, Climate & Environment, Health & Safety, Energy and Water & Delta.
For more information please visit:
www.european-space-solutions.eu
Watch the NL Space film:
https://youtu.be/q7ULKZpUSjs
Dutch Minister Kamp speaks at the official opening session of the European Space Solutions Conference
Signing of the Galileo Reference Centre agreement. The centre will be located at Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
From left to right: Carlo des Dorides - Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency, Elżbieta Bieńkowska - European Commissioner of Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs and Melanie Schultz van Haegen - Dutch Minister of Infrastructuur and Environment.
Dutch singer Giovanca sings 'Satellite love' at the NL Space welcome reception at the European Space Solutions Conference
Dutch singer Giovanca sings 'Satellite love' at the NL Space welcome reception at the European Space Solutions Conference
