Key Takeaways
- Chancellor Christian Stocker visited ESA Headquarters, marking his first trip to an ESA site after taking office.
- Austria, ESA’s 12th Member State, is expanding its involvement in various space sectors, including launchers and exploration.
- The recent Living Planet Symposium in Vienna showcased Austria’s commitment to Earth observation, attracting over 6,500 attendees.
Chancellor’s Visit to ESA Headquarters
On July 18, 2023, Austria’s Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker visited the European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris. This marked his first visit to an ESA establishment since his inauguration earlier this year. The Chancellor was hosted by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and toured the facilities, including the Astrolabe interpretive center, where he learned about Austria’s contribution to sustainable development and scientific achievement through its participation in ESA.
Accompanied by Barbara Kaudel-Jensen, the Austrian ambassador to France, Stocker noted the rapid growth of Austria’s commercial space sector. His visit highlighted the nation’s longstanding commitment to Earth observation and space applications since it became ESA’s 12th Member State in December 1986. Recently, Austria has broadened its space endeavors, becoming increasingly active in areas such as launchers, navigation, and both human and robotic exploration.
An exciting aspect of the visit included the participation of Carmen Possnig, a member of ESA’s astronaut reserve, who was selected in 2022 and is set to begin her second phase of training this autumn. She engaged with the Austrian media during the visit, fostering interest in the nation’s astronaut program.
Austria’s innovation ecosystem continues to thrive, exemplified by the ESA PhiLab, which opened last year and currently has a call for proposals open until October 8. Additionally, the recent Living Planet Symposium in Vienna brought together 6,500 participants from the Earth observation community to present their findings and strategize future projects. The event was celebrated with a citywide ‘Space in the City’ festival, organized by the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) and Urban Innovation Vienna GmbH (UIV), emphasizing the connection between citizens and space.
This visit not only underlines Austria’s role in ESA but also reflects the country’s ambition to enhance its involvement in diverse space activities while promoting public engagement in space science and technology.
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