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HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT AND EXPLORATION: INSPIRING THE EUROPEAN CITIZENS

Dr. Alain DupasDr. Alain DupasCollège de Polytechnique, ParisCollège de Polytechnique, Paris

CAMERA DEI DEPUTATICOMITATO PER LA VALUTAZIONE DELLE

SCELTE SCIENTIFICHE E TECNOLOGICHE

“Esplorazione dello spazio: il ruolo dell’Europa”

Roma, 24 luglio 2007Sala del MappamondoPalazzo Montecitorio

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The Political Significance of Human Spaceflight & The Political Significance of Human Spaceflight & Exploration is ObviousExploration is Obvious

• Could & should Europe take into consideration the political value of human spaceflight and exploration activities in making the strategic choices for her future activities in this domain?

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What «Political Value» for Human Spaceflight What «Political Value» for Human Spaceflight & Exploration in Europe?& Exploration in Europe?

• Many European space programmes are characterized as responding to the “Needs” of the European citizens, with a focus on practical space applications

• However, even if they are not “practical”, Human Spaceflight & Exploration activities can also respond to a major overarching needs of the European citizens: inspiration

• This is true for the scientific quest to understand the fundamental questions about the Universe and life, but also for indirect aspect like the consolidation and advancement of the “European Project”

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Why Are Human Spaceflight & Exploration Why Are Human Spaceflight & Exploration Politically So Important for Europe?Politically So Important for Europe?

• They express an ambition• They attract media and

citizens attention• They raises scientific and

technical challenges• They are visible and

associated with Europe in the international arena

• They favour partnerships• They connect with Europe

history and culture

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Human Spaceflight & Exploration In Europe: Human Spaceflight & Exploration In Europe: Thirty Years of SuccessThirty Years of Success

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Support Of The Lisbon AgendaSupport Of The Lisbon Agenda

• The Lisbon agenda is one of the most important goal of the European project

• Space exploration could be a significant contributor to the drive to Lisbon agenda goal: make Europe the No 1 “Knowledge Economy” It provides exciting and challenging innovation

goals It demonstrates to European youngsters the

interest and beauty of science and technology

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Space Exploration & EducationSpace Exploration & Education

• Space Exploration provides fascinating examples for S&T curriculum

• Major TV programmes and multimedia products make use of «space attraction» to reinforce interest of European youngsters for S&T

• Universities and engineering schools can directly be involved in experiments in space, on the Moon and Mars

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Thank you for attention