Space agency seeks public steer

The European Space Agency is asking the public for its views on what missions the agency should be funding in its space science programme for 2035-50.

Europe’s citizens should have a say in setting ESA’s space science agenda because it is ultimately taxpayers who pay for the agency’s work, ESA’s director of science Günther Hasinger said on 4 March. The consultation is the first time that ESA has invited the public to be involved in identifying the priorities for its long-term space science programme, the agency said.

“We wish to encourage a sense of ownership and involvement in the space science programme with our public, and so we want to hear everyone’s views and choose our next set of missions in an open and transparent way,” Hasinger said.