Category Archives: Future

Press conference with Heads of Agencies/representatives

Heads or top representatives from ISS agencies respond to press

  • Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA Director General
  • Charles F. Bolden, Jr., NASA Administrator
  • Alexey Krasnov, Director of Human Spaceflight Programme, Roscosmos
  • Kiyoshi Higuchi, Vice President JAXA
  • Gilles Leclerc, Director General for Space Exploration, CSA
  • Thomas Reiter, ESA Director of Human Spaceflight & Operations

Thomas Reiter: It was a very successful conference with fantastic achievements shown. Having been involved in some of the experiments it is very rewarding to see the results. The transition from the assembly phase to the operational phase is complete and we are now operating in 'routine' mode. (more...)

Thomas Reiter in closing address

Future benefits for you

Future ISS Perspectives: ‘ISS and beyond: What is in there for you?’

Berndt Feuerbacher, ESA-HESAC Chair

Download the full presentation slides: ISS and beyond: What is in there for you?

Editor’s note: These brief extracts are paraphrased from live webcast and may not be fully correct. 

  • We saw great examples over the past days but there is more to the ISS.
  • By expanding ISS utilisation we add 'three further generations of PhD students' [worth]' of research possibilities.
  • ISS utilisation is at a turning point
  • We are seeing industrial applications from space research such as turbine blades and plasma therapy.
  • Quantum physics research is comeing to the ISS. The ACES space clock is the first step but more research is possible.
  • These are not just toys for scientists but promise radically new technologies and will have economic impact.
  • When I was young we had a laser in our research lab. Nobody imagined that they would be in everyone's homes as CD players were a few years later.
  • I wish that partners: reduce mission costs, shorten access times & lessen paperwork, include the private sector and enlarge ISS to more international partners.
  • Beyond 2020 we need to involve private companies, but actions need to be taken now to prepare for this.
  • The most fascinating destination for humans is Mars.
  • To get to Mars we will need major technology changes, such as new propulsion systems, self-supporting life systems and changes in communication.
  • Future exploration requires huge efforts and is a task for humanity as a whole.
  • A tool exists to coordinate a global exploration effort: the International Space Exploration Group.
  • Human exploration is starting today, global cooperation, economic progress, innovation, inspiration and increase in knowledge await all who join in the endeavour.
  • The ISS is available now: let's use it!