The 11th edition of the European Lunar Symposium will take place in June 27-29, 2023 in Padova.

The conference aims at bringing together scientists and engineers from all around the world to focus on lunar science and the technology enabling human and robotic exploration of the Moon.

The symposium includes on June 28 in the Aula Magna of Palazzo del Bo, the event open to the public “Next Footprints on the Moon” with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer who talks about his experience in the international space station, training and ESA facilities dedicated to preparing for future human exploration of the Moon. These include the PANGAEA course, which has prepared ESA, NASA and ROSCOSMOS astronauts for geological field work since 2016 and also involves faculty from the University of Padua.

The event proposes also a panel discussion, attended by representatives from the space agencies ASI, ESA and NASA, discussing challenges and prospects for human exploration of the solar system, with particular reference to the moon.

Moderator is Caterina Boccato (INAF/OAPD). Participating in the discussion are, Raffaele Mugnuolo (ASI - head of the Scientific Satellites and Robotic Exploration Operational Unit), Marino Crisconio (ASI - head of the Human Flight and Microgravity Unit), James Carpenter (ESA-ESTEC Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration) and Greg Schmidt (NASA-SSERVI Director).

New scientific data returned from a series of orbiting satellites and rover missions on the Moon have aroused renewed interest in lunar exploration, heightened as a result of the success of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission as a first step towards man’s return to the Moon by 2026.

Current interests in the exploration of the Moon range from geological, astronomical, astrophysical, commercial, resource utilization to strategic considerations and its use as an outpost for the future human exploration of the Solar System.

Particular emphasis will be given to the next exploratory missions in terms of science and technology, to the analysis of orbiter and rover data, the in-situ research utilization (ISRU) and the presentations of the results of preparatory and supporting studies for future human activity on the lunar surface.

The eleventh ELS will be held under the umbrella of the European nodes of the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI).

The event will be held in English and it will be streamed on the University’s YouTube channel.

To participate, registration is required.

11th European Lunar Symposium - Day One: interview with Mahesh Anand, professor of The Open University (UK)

11th European Lunar Symposium - Day Two: Public event Next Footprints on The Moon 

11th European Lunar Symposium - Day Three: - Un bilancio dell’European Lunar Symposium a conclusione dell’edizione 2023