​Advancing European space research, education and exploration

Photo: Director General of ESA Josef Aschbacher (left) and Vice President of CESAER Tim Bedford (University of Strathclyde) (right).

On 11 September 2024, an event took place at the European Space Agency (ESA) headquarters in Paris to advance collaboration between universities of science and technology and ESA. Hosted jointly by CESAER and ESA, the event gathered leaders from universities of science and technology and key figures from the space sector to explore ways to deepen their partnership and advance Europe’s space ambitions.

The programme began with welcoming remarks from ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Tim Bedford, Vice President of CESAER. The opening session set the stage for a day of fruitful discussions, with both organisations reaffirming their commitment to leveraging the strengths of universities in supporting ESA’s mission. The Director General emphasised ESA’s interest in collaborating with CESAER to harness the unique capabilities of universities in fostering innovation, education, and research related to space exploration.

Good practices and perspectives

A key highlight of the event was a session on good practices from CESAER Member universities. Moderated by Mattias Björnmalm, Secretary General of CESAER, the session featured a series of presentations by representatives from twelve prominent CESAER Member universities:

• Tim Bedford (University of Strathclyde)
• Adriano José Camps (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)
• Marek Chodnicki (Gdańsk University of Technology)
• Rogério Colaço (Instituto Superior Técnico)
• Jana Freihöfer (Technische Universität Darmstadt)
• Jan Hesthaven (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
• Mats Lundqvist (Chalmers University of Technology)
• Bob Nichol (University of Surrey)
• Kate Robson Brown (University College Dublin)
• Nicole Viola (Politecnico di Torino)
• Wolfgang Wagner (Technische Universität Wien)
• Henri Werij (Delft University of Technology)

These presentations showcased a range of exemplary initiatives advancing space activities in Europe, from cutting-edge research and education to innovative support mechanisms and ecosystem development.

Participants also heard from the leadership team and invited experts at ESA, who provided insightful perspectives on potential next steps in the collaboration, with a view to solidifying the alignment of key strategic priorities between ESA and CESAER.

Next steps and future collaboration

The event concluded by exploring concrete next steps for joint CESAER-ESA activities. Both organisations agreed to investigate how existing exemplary practices could be scaled up and expanded across more universities, supported by new strategies and funding instruments. This collaboration will be essential for developing the talent and fostering the ecosystems needed to drive space research, education, and exploration in Europe.

The joint event between CESAER and ESA reflects the growing recognition of the critical role universities play in Europe’s space sector. By bringing together academic excellence and ESA’s space expertise, this collaboration promises to advance not only Europe’s space capabilities but also the broader mission of creating sustainable and impactful scientific, economic, and societal benefits.

For more information, please contact CESAER Secretary General Mattias Björnmalm (mattias.bjornmalm@cesaer.org).

This event marks a promising future for space-related research and education in Europe, driving forward a vision of cooperation that will lead to innovation and discoveries for the benefit of all.

Photo with all participants at the ESA headquarters in Paris.