"Seminar Series on Engineering and Society" - Daniel Neuenschwander
Seminar Series on Engineering and Society
The Seminar Series on Engineering and Society focuses on the transformative role of engineering in addressing societal challenges. Join us as this series explores the profound impact of engineering on our world, and how engineering powers solutions across diverse fields, from space exploration to healthcare, sports, entertainment, and climate change mitigation.Space exploration and its benefits for society
The international exploration landscape has undergone a substantial transformation in the last decade – attracting ever more players – and is currently high on the agenda of the space powers in what has become once again an intensely competitive environment. Therefore, the European Space Agency (ESA) has refined its exploration strategy and programme. The talk will address consequently, the evolved international context and Europe’s position, then introduce ESA’s space exploration programme and finally discuss benefits for society. Overall, being able to access low Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars is a strategic long-term objective aimed at ensuring constant utilisation of those destinations, thereby obtaining science outcomes and bringing about technological innovation, while also ensuring that Europe continues to have a seat at the top table of space explorers. Europe has to prioritise its role with regard to the orbital and surface architectural elements that are essential for transportation between Solar System bodies and surface logistics. It identifies “opportunities for excellence” on the international exploration scene that leapfrog rather than duplicate on the one hand and identify relevant data for the benefit of society on the other hand.
Biography
Daniel Neuenschwander is the Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes at the European Space Agency (ESA). Based in Cologne, he leads all Human and Robotic Exploration-related matters, starting with strategy development through programme implementation and benefits evaluation. He is responsible for the Terrae Novae programme, ESA’s space exploration envelope programme, currently focused on three destinations: Low Earth Orbit, the Moon and Mars.
Before his appointment as Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes in 2023, Mr Neuenschwander led ESA’s Directorate of Space Transportation for 7 years. Before joining ESA, Mr Neuenschwander was previously Head of the Swiss Space Office (SSO) and of the Swiss Delegation to ESA, as well as Chair of the Launchers Programme Board (PB-LAU). He also served as Deputy to the Swiss State Secretary for Space Affairs, including for the ESA Co-Presidency at ministerial level. Before joining the space world, he was a professional pilot.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
Organizer
- Dean STI
Contact
- Dean STI