Space for Inspiration is an international conference organised by the European Space Agency (ESA) for everyone curious about space exploration and why it matters. The second edition focuses on how space can be a powerful instrument for positive change – and new businesses – on planet Earth.
This can’t miss event is a crossroads of disciplines and solutions ‘made in space’. Ideas range from automation, artificial intelligence, smart materials, virtual reality and innovative business models.
![]() AGATA JOZWICKA-PERLANT
Head of New Costumers & Services, Future Programmes
Ariane Group
|
![]() Barbara Ghinelli
Director of Business Development
STFC-UK
|
![]() Bernhard Hufenbach
Head of HRE Strategy & Innovation Team
ESA
|
![]() Bjarke Ingels
Danish Architect, Founder and Creative Partner
Bjarke Ingels Group
|
![]() CHRISTIAN LANGE
Chief Exploration Strategic Planning, Space Exploration
CSA
|
![]() Christian Ziach
Investment Manager
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
|
![]() Daniel Inocente
Senior Digital Design Architect
SOM
|
![]() David Parker
Director of Human and Robotic Exploration
ESA
|
![]() Francesc Gòdia
Full Professor of Chemical Engineering
Universitat Autònoma de Bercelona
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![]() Francesco Sauro
Geologist, Speleologist, Explorer
|
![]() Héctor Guerreo-Padrón
Researcher
Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aerospacial
|
![]() Inma Martinez
Venture Partner
Deep Science Ventures
|
![]() JEFFREY MANBER
CEO
NanoRacks LLC – DC
|
![]() Johann-Dietrich Wörner
Director General
ESA
|
![]() Jürgen Brandner
Chief Technical Officer
PTScientists
|
![]() KATHY LAURINI
Senior Advisor for Exploration and Space Operations
NASA
|
![]() Ken Savin
Director of Operations
CASIS
|
![]() Kyle Acierno
Managing Director
ispace EuropeSA
|
![]() Mark Stevenson
Expert on global trends and innovation
|
![]() Marybeth Edeen
Manager of the Research Integration Office in the ISS
NASA
|
![]() Matt Cosby
Director of Space Engineering
Goonhilly
|
![]() Melanie von der Wiesche
Leader Study Team, Institute of Aerospace Medicine
DLR
|
![]() Michael Lauster
Director
Fraunhofer-Institute for Technological Trend Analysis
|
![]() NAOKI SATO
Lead of Space Exploration System Technology Unit
JAXA
|
![]() OLIVER JUCKENHOEFEL
On-Orbit Service and Exploration Activities, Head of Bremen Site
Airbus Defence and Space
|
![]() Paolo Nespoli
Astronaut
ESA
|
![]() Pierre Crespi
Director of Innovation
Air Liquide Advanced Technologies
|
![]() Ray Jayawardhana
Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Astronomy
Cornell University
|
![]() Rudy Aernoudt
Economic Analysis Unit
European Commission DG-GROW
|
![]() Sam Adlen
Chief of Strategy
Satellite Applications Catapult
|
![]() SAM SCIMEMI
Director, International Space Station
NASA
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![]() Sam Waes
ESA Broker
Verhaert New Products & Services
|
![]() Sarah Cruddas
Space Journalist, Broadcaster and Author
|
![]() Sergio Montúfar
Space art astro-photographer
|
![]() Stefaan de Mey
Senior Strategy Officer
ESA
|
![]() TIMO STUFFLER
Director of Business Development
OHB
|
![]() VADIM GUSCHIN
Leading Psychologist, Head of Lab
Institute Biomedical Problems
|
![]() VICTOR PARRO GARCIA
Research Scientist
Centro de Astrobiologia (INTA-CSIC)
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![]() Walter Cugno
Vice President Exploration and Science Domain
Thales Alenia Space
|
![]() Ying Zhang
Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Chinese Economy and Business
Rotterdam School of Management
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Exploration is a combination of curiosity and opportunity. As innovation and commercial ideas emerge, the new space opens up to a broader community. The European Space Agency is already forging partnerships with the non-space sector.
The programme is geared towards stimulating new ideas and inspire action. Disruptive ideas can connect space and non-space areas with new approaches, solutions and services.
To participate in interactive sessions about breakthrough technologies. To get in touch with business leaders and pioneering thinkers. To unlock the business potential within international partnerships. To present your ideas to diversified and inter-generational audiences. To build up synergies and sustainable innovation.
Space for Inspiration is a unique opportunity to meet bright problem-solvers, tech industry visionaries, researchers, policy makers, high management and investors willing to advance space exploration.
Feeling interested? Replay the talks from the first edition held at the London Science Museum on 14-15 September 2016.
We call them DIGITS – Disruptive Ideas Growing Innovation Towards Sustainability. And we want to hear your story. Selected ideas will have an opportunity to participate in Space for Inspiration as part of a:
presentation |
workshop |
exhibit |
snack-talks |
You can choose one or more of the following topics:
Disruptive for exploration Revamp exploration scenarios by proposing disruptive technologies, mission concepts and operations |
Disruptive for Earth and society Launch your idea to tackle sustainable development of our planet and help us solve the grand challenges |
Disruptive for business and transformation Present your business model that will contribute to sustained growth of the economy, possibly also beyond Earth |
Disruptive for participation How can we increase embedding space exploration in the centre of society, making all on Earth active stakeholders? |
For more information please refer to the Call for DIGITS document and the DIGITS Submission Form.
ESA has negotiated preferred rates at hotels in Bilbao for the Space for Inspiration event’s participants.
Children from local schools will take part in a challenge to explore space and prototype together a space invention that could benefit humanity and planet Earth.
They will work in teams and use their creativity to come up with innovative concepts on 30 October 2018.
Strategy & Innovation Team
Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration
ESA / ESTEC
Keplerlaan 1 – 2200 AG Noordwijk – The Netherlands
© 2018 European Space Agency