N° 7–2024: Media invitation: Health from Space Conference in Cannes, on 4-5 March 2024

Health From Space programme and ESA participation

Senior management from ESA, including Director General Josef Aschbacher, Daniel Neuenschwander (Director, Human & Robotic Exploration), Geraldine Naja (Director Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness) and Toni Tolker-Nielsen (Director Space Transportation) will participate in the event. ESA reserve astronauts John McFall and Anthea Comellini as well as astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy are also expected on site.

The conference will boast over 80 speakers and 14 round tables covering many topics. Fascinating sessions include: 'The Dawn in Space of a New Era for Pharmaceuticals', 'Bio-convergence of Space and Biology', 'Bringing Cosmetics Advances from Space' and also on 'Aging and Longevity'.

Each session will conclude with a Q&A section, providing ample opportunities for dialogue with the press and exploration of key themes.

Likewise, the programme encompasses dedicated media briefing sessions and networking opportunities, providing a platform for one-on-one interviews with prominent experts in the field of both space and health sciences.

For detailed information on the programme and sessions, please visit healthfromspace.com/programme/

Media registration

Members of the press are cordially invited to register for the event at no cost. Secure your place by visiting healthfromspace.com/registernow/.

More information

Should you have any additional queries or require more information, ESA Media Relations is available to assist.

Contacts ESA Media relations: camille.bello@ext.esa.int & bernhard.von.weyhe@esa.int

CNES Media relations: cnes-presse@cnes.fr

Thales Alenia Space Media relations: sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com

Media relations and organisational contact at Palais des Congrès et des Festivals in Cannes: Nina Charenton - nina@aleou.fr

What can space offer to health sciences?

The growing accessibility to space, marked by both cost-effectiveness and expanded flight opportunities, is ushering in a realm of remarkable prospects for researchers and industries alike.

As a result, the convergence of space with the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biotechnology and nutrition industries as well as with medical technology is positioned to redefine the landscape of healthcare in the coming decades. Breakthroughs in drugs, vaccines, antibiotics, cancer research, cardio-vascular issues, anti-aging solutions, regenerative medicine, gene therapy and more are on the horizon.

Why is scientific research in microgravity so relevant for health sciences?

Everything on Earth’s surface is subject to an average gravitational acceleration of 9.81 m/s² (1 g). Gravity determines nearly all physical, chemical, and biological phenomena occurring on our planet. It is fundamental to all natural processes around and within us, from the distribution of water and vegetation on our planet to the way that living organisms look and function. Furthermore, gravity is also a primary influence on all human technological developments, including health sciences.

Scientific research in microgravity allows us to ask some important questions. What happens to basic physical, chemical and biological processes in the absence of this directional force? What does this teach us about the processes in the Universe, on our Earth and even inside our bodies? Can these insights lead to greater awareness and technological improvements? These are some of the questions that will be delved into during the Health from Space conference.

In addition, it is important to note how microgravity research has already contributed to various scientific advancements in particular on the International Space Station, including developments in vaccine technology, oncology, DNA damage, muscle and bones loss, aging and much more.

More on ESA`s Human and Robotic Exploration: www.esa.int/hre

Images

ESA's Photo Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

Terms and conditions for using ESA images:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_conditions_of_use_of_images_and_videos_available_on_the_esa_website

For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly spaceinimages@esa.int.

Videos

ESA's Video Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos

ESA's Video Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos

Terms and conditions for using ESA videos:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_conditions_of_use_of_images_and_videos_available_on_the_esa_website

For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly spaceinvideos@esa.int.

Social Media

Follow ESA on:

X: @esa 
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LinkedIn: European Space Agency - ESA 
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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. Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with four 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.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int