Call for media: ESA inaugurates ESEC’s Galaxia, the new training and learning hub
On 29 March 2019, ESA will inaugurate Galaxia, a new permanent facility dedicated to innovative training and learning programmes for school teachers and university students from ESA Member States.
The new facility, part of ESA’s European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC) in Belgium, adds value and reinforces the current ESA Education programme. Specific training programmes designed with the help of space experts, and delivered in state-of-the-art structures (the e-technology lab, the Training and Learning Facility, and the CubeSat Support Facility), address the development of skills and competences for the 21st century at school and university levels, both in the form of courses and practical experience.
Together with space science and technology, education is one of ESA’s core activities. It is of strategic importance to nurture and prepare the European workforce, which the evolving space sector and society in general need to remain competitive and to overcome the current societal challenges, in line with the recent space strategy put forward by Europe.
29 March 2019, 14:00
Euro Space Centre, Devant les Hêtres 1, 6890 Transinne, Belgium
Part 1, 14:00 – 15:15
Galaxia, the new ESA Education training and learning hub
14:00 – 15:00
| Welcome | Mr Eric Morel de Westgaver – ESA Director for Industry, Procurement and Legal Services |
| Address | Ms Sophie Wilmès – Minister in charge of the Science Policy, Belgium |
| Address | Mr Francois Bellot – Minister of Mobility, Belgium |
| Address | Mr Jean-Claude Marcourt – Vice President of the Government of the Wallonia-Brussel Federation, Belgium |
| Address | Mr Pierre-Yves Jeholet – Vice President of the Walloon Government, Belgium |
| Address | Mr Elie Deblire – Chairman of the IDELUX Board of Directors, Belgium |
| Address | Mr Hugo Marée – Head of the ESA Education Office |
| Testimonial | The e-technology lab – a teacher experience, Ms Alexandra Fratti, Greece |
| Testimonial | The ESA Academy at ESEC-Galaxia, a university student perspective – Ms Lana Salmon (Ireland, member of the EIRSAT-1 team) |
| Video | |
| 15:00 – 15:15 Interview opportunities for the press |
Part 2, 15:20 – 16:00
Galaxia inauguration and visit
16:00 – 17:00
Refreshments
How to apply
Media with valid press credentials should write to Erika.Verbelen@esa.int by 28 March to register.
Location
Euro Space Centre
Devant les Hêtres 1
6890 Transinne
Belgium
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Slovenia is an Associate Member.
ESA has established formal cooperation with seven other Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.
Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space. ESA also has a strong applications programme developing services in Earth observation, navigation and telecommunications.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int
For further information, please contact:
ESA Newsroom
Email: media@esa.int
Tel: +31 (0)71 565 4443