Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Discusses Future of Space Exploration with Luxembourg Space Agency Team

As part of his visit to Luxembourg to celebrate the US Independence Day and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Buzz Aldrin yesterday met with both the Luxembourg Space Agency team and the Government Advisory Board on Space Resources. 

In this context, Buzz Aldrin, who piloted the Apollo 11 lunar module in 1969 and was the second man to set foot on the moon, attended a lunch in the sidelines of the sixth meeting of the Space Resources Advisory Board, held in Luxembourg. The former astronaut discussed with members of the Luxembourg Space Agency team and the Government Advisory Board current and future challenges in the fields of space exploration and the utilisation of resources in space, including its relevant applications like rocket propellant, planetary surface construction or in-space manufacturing. 

The Space Resources Advisory Board is composed of internationally renowned space experts whose mission it is to guide Luxembourg into position as a European hub for the exploration and utilisation of space resources. Topics of discussion during the board meeting included international relations and global governance of space, research and development (R&D) and the SpaceResources.lu initiative.

Launched in February 2016 and led by the Luxembourg Space Agency, the SpaceResources.lu initiative defines a framework to promote and support the exploration and commercial utilisation of resources from "celestial bodies" such as the moon and asteroids. This pioneering initiative provides a supportive working environment for Luxembourg's vision of a new space industry, draws on existing expertise in the space and satellite sector and feeds into the country's ongoing strategy of economic diversification into future-oriented high-tech industries.