50th Anniversary of the ESA Convention

Illuminate Europe’s sky!

26th of May 16:30 SwissTech Convention Center Lausanne

Inspiration, Science, Exploration

Illuminate Europe's sky!

On Monday 26th of May, Space Exchange Switzerland (national platform funded by the Swiss Space Office of the SERI) is very fortunate to host the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the ESA Convention in Lausanne. In 2025, the 50th anniversary of the signature of the ESA Convention (30 May 1975) provides the opportunity to reflect not only on ESA’s past achievements, but also on its future perspectives. Come and join us for this celebration! It will be a wonderful opportunity to discover ESA’s past and future achievements, you will meet major space actors like Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s director general and our new Swiss Astronaut Marco Sieber. We have the honor of having Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor, address the audience with a brief opening. Hear what the General Director of ESA-Josef Aschbacher has to say about ESA’s 2040 vision and listen to exciting interventions about Inspiration, Science and Exploration, and in space by high-level speakers. Interludes by the Swiss-led troupe The Blackouts will add a special light to the event.

EVENT IN ENGLISH

This conference is free and open to everyone. Registration is mandatory, and places are limited.

The Swiss-led troupe The Blackouts will entertain us with a captivating light show all along the celebration.

Be aware that parking spots at the SwissTech Convention Center are very limited. We highly recommend you to privilege public transport.

Programm

  • Overall Moderation: Space engineer & communicator, Galactic Chloé

    • Federal Councillor, G. Parmelin

  • Presentation:

    • ESA Director General, J. Aschbacher

  • Presentations:

    • Director of Science at ESA, Prof. Carole Mundell

    • Astrophysicist, specialist in planetary system modelling at University of Bern, Prof. Dr. W. Benz

    • President of the University of Zurich, Prof. Dr. M. Schaepman

  • Presentations:

    • Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA, D. Neuenschwander

    • Astronauts: M. Sieber, S. Cristoforetti, M. Lopéz-Alegría & C. Nicollier

  • Keynote Speech:

    • Co-Founder, Executive Chairman of AXIOM Space, Dr. K. Ghaffarian

    Panel discussion: challenges of the coming years

    Moderation: Scientific journalist, O. Dessibourg

    • Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness at ESA, G. Naja

    • Director of ETH Zurich I Space, Prof. Dr. T. Zurbuchen

    • Head Swiss Space Office & Chair of the ESA Council, Dr. R. Krpoun

    • CEO of Apco Technologies SA, A. Pugin

    • President of EPFL, Prof. Dr. A. Fontcuberta i Morral

    • State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Dr. M. Hirayama