The 18th European Space Conference: Dreaming of European boots on the Moon

Also in this episode:

• Tomas Dimitrov, Deputy Executive Director logos & Business Bridge Europe
• Nicola Pizzolorusso, Vice President Strategic Planning, Scenarios and New Initiatives, Telespazio
• Cristina Valente, Head of ESA / ASI Market Unit, Telespazio
• Stefaan De May, Strategy Team Leader for Human and Robotic Exploration, ESA
• Cheryl Gramling, Cislunar Strategist and PNT Lead, NASA
• Giancarlo Varacalli, Head of Telecommunications and Navigation, ASI
• Logan Ware, Commercial Director, Blue Origin
• Julien Lamamy, Chief Executive Officer, ispace-EUROPE
• Jason Soloff, Lunar Data Network Chief Engineer, Intuitive Machines
• Brett Stephens, Director, International and Government Programs, Firefly Aerospace
• Ariana Carruth, Director of Spacecraft, Commercial and Civil, Firefly Aerospace

Humanity is going back to the Moon, and Europe is already playing a critical role in making it happen. This week, Planetary Radio brings you voices straight from the 18th European Space Conference in Brussels, Belgium, where more than 2,000 of the world’s top space leaders gathered to shape the future of European space exploration.

We begin with conference co-organizer Tomas Dimitrov of Logos and Business Bridge Europe, who sets the stage for the conversations ahead. From there, we hear from European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, and Germany’s Federal Space Minister Dorothee Bär.

We also take you inside the Moonlight Initiative panel, bringing you the full conversation as scientists and engineers from ESA, NASA, and industry lay out their vision for building GPS and communications infrastructure around the Moon, and wrestle with what it will really take to support a permanent human presence there.

Then, Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts joins us for What’s Up to tackle one of the most fascinating and unexpected challenges of lunar exploration: what time is it on the Moon?

Related Links

• European Space Conference
• European Space Conference - YouTube
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• The Planetary Society shop
• The Night Sky
• The Downlink