Space Travel: A Game Changer for Germany's Strategic Economy
Space journeys transcend mere trips beyond Earth's atmosphere: they encompass groundbreaking space exploration. - Journeying beyond Earth's boundaries transcends mere spaceflight
Stepping into the role of Research Minister, Dorothee Bear is amplifying the federal government's call for substantial investments in space travel, despite challenging economic conditions. As a firm believer in the everyday benefits of space technology and its potential to drive economic transformation, she sees space exploration as an indispensable cornerstone for innovation in other sectors.
"We're in a complex world, fraught with crises and conflicts," Bear shared, stressing the crucial role of space travel in areas like Earth observation and satellite navigation. With an emphasis on autonomy and diversity, she highlighted the need to lessen our dependency on nations like Russia and China, given the potential perils of external disruptions.
Lunar Pursuit: The Moon, Bear insists, is the first major target. As part of the international Artemis family, Germany intends to collaborate with partners to land humans on the Moon, a feat that will mark an historic first for a woman astronaut. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the US government’s budgetary commitment to NASA, Bear is adamant that the German government remains steadfast in its support for the Artemis project.
European Moon Missions: To circumvent any potential future obstacles, Germany's space agency, in partnership with the ESA, is perusing alternative European lunar mission plans, in an effort to ensure sustained presence and leadership in space exploration.
The range of German candidates vying for the opportunity to venture into space is growing, with the likes of Alexander Gerst, Matthias Maurer, Amelie Schoenenwald, Nicola Winter, and Rabea Rogge making headway in their respective training programs. Bear champions the cause of women excelling in scientific careers, regardless of personal circumstances. Her commitment reaches far beyond space travel, contributing to scientific advancements through initiatives like the Science Time Contract Act and Research Data Act.
Inviting International Talent: Aside from promoting women in science, Bear is focusing on creating a welcoming environment for international scientists, including those from the US, as part of the 1,000 Heads program. Amidst the global erosion of academic freedom and increased polarization, Germany is eager to uphold its position as a sanctuary for scientific innovation and freedom.
Highlights of Dorothee Bear's Agenda:
- Rolling out a high-tech agenda to prioritize critical technologies
- Improving data access through the Research Data Act
- Revising the Science Time Contract Act to tackle fixed-term contracts at universities and research institutions
- Committing to invest three percent of economic output in research and development, across the nation
Embracing the challenges ahead, Bear is set to prioritize strategic technologies, streamline data handling, and address employment issues to ensure a vibrant, innovative research and tech sector in Germany.
Topical Terms:
- Space
- Moon
- Federal Government
- Flight
- Research
- Technology
- Economical Situation
- Universe
- NASA
- Women
- USA
- Berlin
- CSU
- German Press Agency
- Munich
- Coalition Agreement
- Economic Location
- Russia
- China
- Dorothee Bear, as the new Research Minister, is pushing for significant investments in space travel, advocating for its potential to drive economic transformation in EC countries, especially in areas like Earth observation and satellite navigation, amidst challenging economic conditions.
- In the realm of science and technology, Bear's agenda includes improving data access through the Research Data Act, revising the Science Time Contract Act to address fixed-term contracts at universities and research institutions, and committing to invest three percent of economic output in research and development, with a focus on critical technologies.
- Apart from space exploration, Bear is committed to fostering scientific advancements by inviting international talent, particularly from the US, as part of the 1,000 Heads program, aiming to uphold Germany's position as a sanctuary for scientific innovation and freedom.
