ESA Bulletin, No.157, February 2014

Inside this issue of the ESA Bulletin there is the first instalment of a comprehensive chronology of ESA, its predecessor organisations and the history of European cooperation in space.

The Bulletin joins the celebrations as the space community marks the anniversary of the construction of Europe as a space power and 50 years of unique achievements in space. Fifty years of European cooperation in space is an anniversary for the whole space sector in Europe, which can be proud of its results. But what lessons can we take from this first 50 years?

ESA's Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain introduces special features: a foreword written by guest contributor Dr John Krige, followed by the first of three installments in a complete chronology of important events over this period of European space history. Dr Krige has just published a book that describes the history of ESA from its origins in the two intergovernmental organisations, ESRO and ELDO, that preceded it in the 1960s, through its establishment in 1975 and on up to the present. Dr Krige answers the questions, 'What image do we get of ESA from this study?' and 'What are the lessons of this detailed history?'

'Copernicus: Moving From Development to Operations' is timed to coincide with the launch of Sentinel-1A, the first Copernicus satellite mission, at about the same time as the launch of the EU Copernicus programme. These events mark the beginning of the Copernicus operational phase and a major milestone for Earth observation in Europe.

In 'Getting 'Space' Experience on Earth', the Bulletin takes a look at the portfolio offered by ESA’s Education and Knowledge Management Office for experiments to be built by university students. These range from drop-tower tests, hypergravity centrifuge tests, sounding rockets and stratospheric balloons campaigns - all designed to help young people gain and maintain an interest in science and technology.

Next there is the annual look back at highlights of the previous year 2013 - and some images that the Bulletin didn't get to publish at the time but still impressive enough to share.

The Bulletin rounds off with a reminder that every spring, ESA’s ESRIN centre opens its doors to primary and secondary students, aged 8–13 years, together with their teachers. This event, which has taken place for the last 14 years, attracts children and teachers from over 30 schools in the Rome area. This year, the event was held between 18-21 March 2014.

• Primary Source

ESA: About US: The First 50 Years. History of Europe in Space http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/ESA_history/Highlights/The_first_50_years

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