Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Danish Prime Minister, introduced the report with a vibrant and applauded speech calling for more investment in space exploration. “Let us be bold, let us put Europe at the forefront of space exploration!” he said, adding that “If we fail to do so, we will fall behind and become dependent of others”.
It was mandated to ESPI to support an independent and objective assessment on the geopolitical, economic and societal relevance of human and robotic space exploration for Europe.
The 12-strong star-studded group, known as the “High Level Advisory Group” (HLAG), presented its independent report on the state of European space exploration to the 315th session of the ESA Council at ESA Headquarters in Paris on 23 March 2023.
The report recommended to ESA to ‘act visionary’, ‘act differently’ and ‘act now’ on space exploration.
In “Revolution Space: Europe’s Mission for Space Exploration”, the group argues that human space exploration is undergoing a revolution, which Europe cannot afford to miss.
The HLAG includes leaders across industry, government, academia and civil society and was established in the summer of 2022 at the request of ESA’s Council.
