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Thank you everyone.
Ten months ago, the Danish Innovation Centre in Silicon Valley along with the Foreign Ministry and other partners organized the largest ever Danish space promotion tour in the United States.
Three months ago, I went to The Kennedy Space Center to be part of the big send-off of Danish ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen.
One week ago, a broad political majority in Denmark agreed on a research budget with the biggest ever Danish contribution to ESA.
Three days ago, the ESA ministerial council in Sevilla agreed on a ground-breaking shift in the approach to launchers. The next generation of European launchers will be developed through challenges to the European space industry. Making ESA the customer instead of the developer.
And today, we are here. In Odense. At The National Space Conference.
There are many ways to summarise a year, but from where I’m standing, 2023 is a space year.
The urge to understand
I’d like to begin with a quote from the American science fiction writer and political advisor Larry Niven. He said:
“The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program. And if we become extinct because we don't have a space program, it'll serve us right!”
Though it might be slightly theatrical, this quote says something quite important.
Space based research and innovation is not a luxury; it is an imperative. It offers us the opportunity to understand the universe while simultaneously discovering solutions to the challenges we face here on Earth.
And it underlines what sets humans apart from dinosaurs and other species. It’s not just the opposable thumbs.
It’s curiosity. The need to explore. The drive to develop. The urge to understand – not just world but the universe we’re a part of.
Space means business
The knowledge we gain from space not only enriches our understanding of the universe, but also brings us closer to solving some of the most pressing issues facing humanity.
Space has provided ground-breaking insights into climate change, the evolution of our solar system and the birth of our universe. Space is an unmatched driver of progress and development of new technologies.
Space is key factor in defense operations and security.
Everyone in this room knows the classic stories about technology and knowledge that has been a sort of “side effect” of space travel.
Like the microchips we all carry around with us in our phones and laptops that were developed as part of the Apollo Missions in the 1960s.
But the story continues. Every year, new discoveries and technologies emerge.
And it’s no longer side effects or accidental discoveries. A whole sector – your sector - is committed to bringing space knowledge, space technology and space based services down to Earth.
Space impacts every one of us
One example is a technology to remove carbon dioxide from the air. This was developed for the International Space Station to make the air safe to breathe for the astronauts. But now it’s being tested here on Earth to help us clean the air around high emission areas like airports.
Another example is electrode technology that was designed to monitor ESA astronauts’ health.
This is now being used to monitor the heartrate of babies in utero, and can help detect and treat heart conditions in infants.
Space exploration started like the first explorers sailing over the Atlantic sea. Because they simply had to know what was on the other side.
In the same way we just had to know what was out there beyond our own atmosphere. At a particular time in history, it was also fuelled by a bit of more or less “healthy” competition between global super powers. But look where it brought us.
We’re at a place where space-based research, innovation, infrastructures and exploration bring connectivity to all parts of the globe, and help us communicate. And we need that, don’t we?
It’s keeping track of our fields, our ships, our coasts – our entire planet. Space is public health, it’s national security, it’s food safety, it’s city planning.
Space has an impact on almost every facet of modern human life.
We are entering a space era
Human curiosity and the drive to push forward, to understand and to solve the issues in front of us has brought us into an extraordinary space era.
The boundaries of what is possible are continuously being pushed by a wide range of nations and private enterprises.
In four years, SpaceX has launched more than 3000 satellites. Just in the last five years, the amount of annual satellite launches in the world has expanded by more than a thousand percent. To a point where we are now working on solving the issue of space debris.
70 countries have national space agencies. NASA has been driving rovers on Mars for years, but others are catching up.
Denmark can be a key player
It’s time to take space seriously. As a business and as a political arena.
Denmark has the knowledge, the innovation infrastructure, even the astronaut talent it takes to be a key player in space science and technology.
What we need is commitment, investment and a clear direction.
That is why I have decided to increase contributions to the ESA by 125 million kroner, bringing the Danish contribution from 250 million in 2022 to 425 million kroner in 2024.
This will strengthen our involvement in a wide range of activities. Such as Earth observation, navigation, spaceflight, and technology development. And at the same time, it’ll support business-oriented technology with a focus on green transition and security.
To invest in ESA and space research is to invest in Danish businesses and the EU’s continued strategic position and security.
I believe Denmark can become an even bigger part of the global space community. I’m committed to shaping a future where Denmark's contributions to space research and innovation are significant.
And where we become even better at utilising the areas where we already have an edge. Like the world class robotics sector right here in Odense.
That is why, next year we will develop and launch a new space strategy for research and innovation, that can support, supplement and even turbo charge our existing National Space Strategy.
Every year is a space year
The dinosaurs missed their chance at interstellar endeavours. But we won’t. Humans won’t.
We will keep on exploring, innovating and building knowledge. Because we can’t help it. Curiosity pushes us onwards, upwards, into space. And towards a world that is wiser, richer, greener, and safer.
I think it’s safe to say that from now on, every year will be a space year.
Thank you for being here today and being a part of it. I hope you have a very inspiring conference.
Thank you.