European Space Expo closes in on nearly 1 million-visitor mark

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Published: 
29 June 2016
Over 950 000 European citizens have visited the Expo as it continues its tour of major European cities.
Over 950 000 European citizens have visited the Expo as it continues its tour of major European cities.

The European Space Expo lands in Paris to highlight the many ways the European Union’s space programmes help EU citizens on a daily basis.

The European Space Expo is in Paris’ Parvis de la gare Montparnasse from 20-29 June to highlight the many ways the European Union’s space programmes help EU citizens on a daily basis. Already over 950 000 European citizens have visited the Expo as it continues its tour of major European cities, and here in Paris the numbers are quickly moving towards the 1 million-milestone.

Speaking at the opening event, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides highlighted how Europe’s space programmes are first and foremost a service geared towards providing across-the-board benefits to European citizens and end-users. According to des Dorides, for each euro invested, Europe’s space programmes generate between EUR 4 and EUR 10 in profit. For example, by 2027 Galileo will have saved 17 500 tons of CO2, saved over 4 500 lives and prevented the diversion of 120 000 flights in Europe.

“We are on the verge of a technological revolution with the growth of the Internet of Things. By 2020 150 billion objects will be interconnected, presenting a huge potential for geolocation,” he says. “To meet this increasing demand for precise geolocation positioning, no one system will be enough, meaning that the addition of Galileo to the system of systems will be fundamental – giving Europe a seat at the global GNSS table.”

There are over  1 000 satellites in space today, and by 2022 this number is expected to double. Of these, 14 are part of the Galileo programme, with more to be added in the coming months as the programme moves towards the launch of initial services later this year.

“Together, these satellites carry out such essential scientific tasks as monitoring the emission of greenhouse gases and their impact on climate change,” says the head of the European Commission Representation in France, Isabelle Jegouzo. “According to some accounts, up to 6 % of the European economy directly depends on these satellites, and the European Space Strategy that is currently being developed will leverage this power to enable Europe to have a true industrial policy.”

“Spatial data and spatial tools are essential to ensure a better command of our daily needs, as well as to find innovative solutions to tomorrow’s global challenges for humankind,” adds former astronaut and current adviser to the ESA Director General, Claudie Haigneré. “In addition, Europe’s space programmes put Europe, its scientists and its engineers at the forefront of research, knowledge and expertise in the 21st century.”

“Another reason for Europe’s space programmes is to defend the future of Europe and ensure it is alive for our children and grand-children,” concluded P. Goujon, Mayor Paris XV and Deputy.

About the European Space Expo

The European Space Expo, organised by the European Commission and the GSA in collaboration with the European Space Agency provides information in several languages, with a focus on EU flagship programmes Galileo, European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus. Through these programmes, European citizens benefit from numerous services and applications, not only enhancing daily life, but also creating opportunities on world markets, and contributing to job creation and economic growth.

The event is free and open to the public. Learn more here

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Updated: Dec 08, 2022