From researching how gravity affects the heart to using space robots to inspect offshore drilling platforms: while outer space may be a vacuum, the industry clearly doesn’t operate in one. Kris sees infinite possibilities for collaboration. “One of the most fascinating panel discussions I’ve ever attended was about baking bread on Mars. If we travel there, astronauts should have more food options than freeze-dried fruit and salads. Fresh bread can be an important psychological anchor, but it would have to be sourdough. Yeast doesn’t respond well to the unusual environment there. And there’s the question of water purification, too, which is often overlooked. Such multidisciplinary discussions are extremely inspiring to me.”

“Multidisciplinary discussions are extremely inspiring to me.”

Moreover, the space industry helps tackle broader societal issues. “Working in the sector, you can really make a difference. After all, we use space infrastructure to monitor desertification, optimise marine shipping routes and reduce fuel consumption, track changes in vegetation, build the 5G network our emergency services rely on, predict floods, and so on.”

“We use space infrastructure to monitor desertification, optimise marine shipping routes, predict floods, and so on.”

“No company can develop everything from start to finish in the space industry. Teamwork, both nationally and internationally, is the cornerstone of every project. Moreover, the multidisciplinary nature of space exploration requires experts from various fields to come together. Conferences facilitate discussions that lead to new missions or research ideas. We have a great conference infrastructure in Flanders. Taking the train to and from Paris, London or Amsterdam is a breeze, airport-to-venue distances are short, our strong cultural offer allows for interesting evening programmes, and we have a rich culinary tradition. Conferences not only give participants, but the industry at large, energy and momentum.”