Vienna (EFE) European Space Agency (ESA) at a conference in Vienna.
The forum, in preparation for the Space Summit convened for November 6 and 7 in Seville (Spain), brought together astronauts, scientists and architects from different European countries in favor of promoting an “ambitious” plan for the Old Continent to land on the Moon ten years from now.
Support for young astronauts is key
Josef Aschbacher, ESA President, and Carmen Possning, a young astronaut selected for the ESA reserve, explained that one of the keys for Europe’s weight in space to grow is supporting young astronauts: “I am prepared to fly and I hope you will too,” Possning said.
“What is really needed is to know how much it costs to do what we want to do and what options we have to carry it out,” Aschbacher said, urging everyone to “work on the capabilities of young astronauts” to grow in the space race.
Three countries have already sent astronauts into space
He also maintained that “Europe cannot afford to lose out” and recalled that “there are already three countries that have sent astronauts into space: the United States, Russia and China, and India will join them shortly.”
“Europe should establish an independent presence in Earth orbit, lunar orbit, the Moon and beyond,” he declared.
The importance of the first Spanish rocket
Aschbacher confirmed the importance of Spain managing to launch its first space rocket, as it plans to do this year, and highlighted the “immense opportunities” that space offers.
“Europe is already a leader in Earth observation, climate monitoring, navigation and space science. Furthermore, space exploration by humans and robots in most space-capable nations has recently accelerated,” she said.
Recommendations to boost space exploration
In the conference, entitled “Ready for the moon”, a group of experts presented a series of recommendations to promote space exploration and for Europe to consolidate itself as another leader in this race through the launch of a manned rocket to the moon.
Other objectives are the establishment of an independent European presence in Earth orbit, lunar orbit, the Moon and beyond, according to this ESA advisory group called “Revolution Space: Europe’s Mission for Space Exploration”.
ESA stated that it is now working to make “this ambitious vision” a reality and that it will present its plans to the Council at the Space Summit in Seville that will take place in November, during the Spanish presidency of the European Union (EU).