Astronauts at 30th World Congress: Space will transform our lives (video)
A hundred astronauts from 17 different countries met last week at the 30th World Congress at the Cité de l’Espace in Toulouse in order to elaborate on the preservation of our planet Earth, space exploration and recent discoveries and successes. They are members of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) which brings together 400 astronauts and cosmonauts from 37 countries. The association’s missions are to educate, exchange and explore.
Stimulating humanity’s sense of ownership and the urgency of protecting our planet, the importance of spatial co-operation and investing in the young generation were the congress’ principal topics. The astronauts strive to inspire future scientific explorers by sharing their experiences of work and life in space. Indeed, their presence on social media has brought in a new audience that follows the latest technological advancements including space projects. The astronaut community is committed to promote space exploration and demonstrate the necessity for very long-term co-operation for the development of space projects.
Are we ready to go to Mars?
On December 18 2015, Jean Baptiste Desbois, the General Director of the Cité de l’espace gave French astronaut Thomas Pesquet a rock from Mars so he could take it to the International Space Station (ISS) on his Proxima space mission. This piece of meteorite which was discovered in the Sahara desert has traveled to the ISS and back to Earth, making it a symbol of space exploration. The rock will be cut into three pieces: one will stay at the Cité de l’espace, a second will be offered to Thomas Pesquet and the third will travel aboard the Curiosity rover in March 2020.
Nevertheless, the question remains: are we ready to go to Mars? With several international missions under way, it seems possible.
The astronauts at the congress affirm that they are psychologically ready to go to Mars if they have a technology that gives them a decent chance to succeed. “We are not kamikazes” says French astronaut Jean-Pierre Haigneré. “But right now we are not ready at all on a technological level. We first have to test these technologies on the Moon,” he adds.
Solar Impulse
Swiss adventurers and pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg have accomplished something that still seems impossible today: the first round-the-world solar flight, powered only by the sun, with no fuel or polluting emissions. The adventure started with Piccard’s vision that clean technologies and energy efficiency can reduce our emissions and improve our quality of life. The result was a 5-day 5-night record-breaking flight from Japan to Hawaii.
Solar Impulse measures 72m and weighs as much as a family car. Because the structure had to be lighter than a plane, Piccard and Borschberg decided to construct it in a shipyard together with people who had never built a plane before. “We are prisoners of our beliefs. If we want to imagine the future, then we have to look in every direction and accept the risk of failure” Piccard says of his experience.
The pilot and designer of the Solar Impulse aircraft has now launched a call for projects to support the technologies of tomorrow. The list of the 1,000 most effective and profitable solutions for the protection of the environment, will be revealed in 2018 at COP 24 in Katowice, Poland.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: NASA License: CC-BY-SA
Source: int.ert.gr
- 1) IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
- 2) Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
- 3) Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
- 4) French defense company signs deals in Athens with Greek electronics and drones firms
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of the Hellenic Republic wrapping up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
President of the Hellenic Republic wrapping up visit to Uruguay at parliament
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
Prime Minister: Greece is Serbia's most stable ally in its European prospect
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Resilience through diversity and investments the aim of UN Tourism visit to Jamaica
Greek Tourism Minister concludes meetings with luxury travel officials in New York
EU forecasts Greece 2024 growth at 2.3%, Eurozone’s fourth-highest rate
Rally concludes with farmer tractors leaving Athens on Wednesday morning
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
Transport Minister: Thessaloniki Metro project will be fully operational by end 2024
AEGEAN concludes transfer of stake in Animawings to Memento Group
DEFEA Conference to be held at Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Athens on May 15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
Culture Ministry: Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia near Larisa to get new lighting
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition