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2nd International Conference on Space Exploration at ministerial level

21 October 2010
08:30 AM till 05.00 PM
Egmontpaleis - Palais Egmont
Kleine Zavel 8 Petit Sablon - 1000 Brussels

This conference is an element of the process which should lead to the definition and development of a European vision on space exploration. The process was started by an informal meeting between European ministers in charge of space in Kourou on 20-22 July 2008 (under French presidency of the EU). The first international conference on space exploration was held in Prague on 23 October 2009 (ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/space/esp/conferences_space_en.htm).

There, delegates endorsed Belgian Minister Sabine Laruelle’s proposal to organise a second conference in Brussels in 2010 (www.congrex.nl/exploration/). The definition of a European vision on space exploration should allow Europe to shape its position in the global arena in this sector. Different space powers are now in the process of defining their own or joint exploration strategies. If Europe wishes to play a role at the global level, it should define clear a exploration vision and goals.

In order to prepare this conference, several activities took place at the European level:

  • at the initiative of Minister Laruelle, a steering committee was established to prepare the conference. The group gathers key actros at the political (ministerial, chaired by Minister Laruelle) and technical (administrations and agencies, chaired by ESA astronaut Frank De Winne) level;
  • 3 workshops organised by ESA and the EC on different aspects of space exploration
    (science & education www.congrex.nl/10C10,
    innovation & industry www.congrex.nl/10C14,
    international cooperation www.congrex.nl/Capua & www.congrex.nl/10C15);
  • meetings of the existing ESA and EU bodies

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