My time as ESA DG is coming to an end after 5 2/3 fascinating and highly eventful years. When I applied for the position in 2014, I did so with the intention of blazing a trail for ESA and space in Europe. Noting the paradigm shift occurring at that time, I placed my term under the theme of “Space 4.0”, encompassing many aspects including New Space and commercialisation.

These aspects remain just as valid today: some were able to be achieved, some remain a challenge, while others need to be pursued still further.

Based on these different perspectives, ESA’s overall positioning can be best summarised using the numbers 1–5:

One Europe with two main actors – ESA and the EU – in partnership with national space entities, international partners, industry, academia and research organisations. ESA is the Space Agency of its Member States and the Space Agency for the European Union.

Three main addressees: society at large, the economy and the environment, with the latter encompassing the environment on the surface of our planet as well as in space.

Four programmatic pillars: Science and Exploration; Space Safety and Security; Applications – covering Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation and Telecommunication; and finally Enabling and Support – covering Space Transportation, Operations and Technologies. An important aspect in all of this is the multidisciplinary interaction that occurs within ESA and with external players.

Five roles of ESA: a Research and Development Agency; a partner of industry in PPP projects; a customer for services provided by industry; an enabler of activities of Member States and industry; and finally s a broker, bringing together space actors and actors in the non-space sector.

One year has passed since the coronavirus first hit Europe. The impact on our daily lives – both private and professional – has been incalculable. Many bemoan and suffer the consequences in terms of debilitating illness and loss, enforced teleworking, home-schooling, lack of social contact and restrictions on public life. However, each and every crisis, however severe, has some specific positive effects. The sudden necessity to work and communicate remotely has given huge impetus to our society’s digital transition. Sceptics of digitalisation have been forced to get on board and, in so doing, have discovered the beauty of rapid, quick-fire interactions and digital transactions. A number of aspects have emerged that will come to shape the “new normal”. I am sure, for example, that organisations will develop new structures internally while interactions between organisations, too, will evolve. The role of hierarchies, rigid organigrams and terms of reference will give way to synaptic structures, and a greater emphasis on performance and goal setting rather than task definitions. It is up to the different organisations and the individuals to seize the opportunities this “new normal” brings.

I am leaving ESA hopeful that all the key players in space in Europe will see ESA as THE European Space Agency, helping it to continue moving forward in accordance with the values of ESA’s Convention of 1975 based on a true European spirit that transcends purely national and institutional perspectives.

I thank all those who have supported me during these last few years at the head of a truly remarkable European organisation and will move on immensely grateful to have had the honour and privilege to have served in the capacity of ESA Director General.

ESA live long and prosper!