Inspiring Europe’s Space Ambitions: Eurisy at the 17th European Space Conference
The 17th European Space Conference provided Eurisy with an incredible opportunity to be part of engaging, dynamic, and forward-thinking discussions about the future of Europe in space and the role of space in Europe.
Eurisy’s participation helped the association tailor our priorities, and understand the key next steps to contribute to the growth of the association and the success of the European space ambitions.
While security and defence, launchers, and market development were at the forefront of the conference, Eurisy took a step further, expanding the conversation by shining a spotlight on other critical themes during its engaging panel sessions.
The session dedicated to Disaster Risk Management (DRM) delved into the ongoing efforts of Eurisy and EUSPA since 2022, and the national workshops organised all around Europe on Satellite-Based Services for Disaster Risk Management. These workshops aim to promote the European Space Programme’s capabilities in DRM and serve as a valuable platform for national space companies, local stakeholders, and public administrations to present use cases and discuss potential partnerships. Moderated by Graham Turnock, Eurisy Secretary General, the session featured insights from Marie Menard, EUSPA Communications Officer, and Albert Nicolás López from the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), who offered a national perspective on the topic and encouraged attendees to join the next national workshop, set to take place in Barcelona on February 26th, 2025.
Graham Turnock, Eurisy Secretary General, Marie Menard, EUSPA Communication Officer, and Albert Nicolás López from the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC).
At the Eurisy booth, the conversation continued as the Eurisy team unveiled the innovative interactive dashboard on Disaster Risk Management. This platform not only showcases cutting-edge satellite solutions but also features a comprehensive Service Catalogue of companies working in the sector, offering valuable insights into the needs, challenges, and benefits experienced by end-users of satellite-based services in managing disaster risks, gathered through detailed surveys.
Eurisy put forward skills and education as a central topic in the conference discussions. In this fast-paced, ever-changing space sector, how can we best prepare and inspire the next generation of space leaders?
A panel of experts from diverse sectors sparked a dynamic discussion about the growing need to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of skills in this multi-disciplinary and fast-paced space industry. ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano opened the discussion by emphasising that focusing on one’s particular skill—whatever it may be—is key to finding a place within the space sector. He highlighted the increasing need for experts in fields such as communication, policy, law, consultancy, design, and art, alongside the traditional roles in science and technology.
New initiatives, such as the Space Career Launchpad, were discussed and promoted by Maria Vittoria D’Inzeo, Policy Officer-Innovation, New Space & Defence of the European Commission and Carla Filotico, Partner and Managing Directorof Novaspace.
Luca Parmitano, European Space Agency; Dr Eric Tschirhart, University of Luxembourg; Graham Turnock, Eurisy; Carla Filotico, Novaspace; Maria Vittoria D’Inzeo, European Commission.
With Dr Eric Tschirhart, from the University of Luxembourg, participants explored the UNIVERSHEH initiative, an alliance of seven universities from seven EU countries, which, by engaging across diverse fields, from science and engineering to liberal arts and culture, empowers individuals to capture, create, and apply new knowledge, becoming proactive participants in the growth and valorisation of the space sector.