Towards a cooperation between the arts, space science research and the European Space Agency – Preliminary findings of the ESA Topical Team Arts and Sciences (ETTAS).

Sarah Jane Pell, Anna Barbara Imhof, Christian Waldvogel, J. Michelle Kotler, Marko Peljhan.

Volume 105, Issue 1, December 2014, Pages 181-191

Abstract

The arts offer alternative insights into reality, which are explored by science in general, and broadened by the activities conducted by the European Space Agency and other space agencies. Similar to the way the members of ESA are ambassadors for spaceflight and science, artists and cultural professionals are ambassadors for human expression, experimentation, and exploration. In June 2011, the ESA Topical Team Arts and Sciences (ETTAS) held a three-day workshop at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. During this workshop, topics and ideas were discussed to develop initiatives between the arts, sciences and ESA. The aim was to foster and expand the human and cultural aspects of space exploration, and at the same time offer a means of communication that aims to reach audiences beyond the scope of traditional space-related channels. The consensus of the team was that establishing and sustaining a transdisciplinary professional community consisting of ESA representatives, scientists and artists would fuel knowledge transfer, and mutual inspiration. Potential ways to provide a sustainable cooperation within and between the various groups were discussed. We present the preliminary findings including a number of measures and mechanisms to initiate and conduct such an initiative. Plausible organisational measures, procedures and consequences, as well as a proposition on how to proceed are also discussed. Overall, the involvement and cooperation between the arts, space science research and ESA will enhance in the citizens of the ESA member states the sense of public ownership of ESA results, and participation in ESA׳s research.

Keywords

Art–science collaboration; Space; Exploration; Artists; Knowledge transfer; ESA Arts Initiative

Highlights

Recommendations to ESA for an ESA Arts Initiative (EAI).

Towards a collaboration between artists, scientists and engineers.

Formats of cooperation, strategic relations, financing, quality management, results.

Use of existing ESA infrastructure and programmes to complement project goals.

Recommendations can serve also as basis for future similar initiatives.

Pell, S.J., Imhof, A.B., Waldvogel, A., Kotler, J.M., Peljhan, M. (2014) Towards a cooperation between the arts, space science research and the European Space Agency – Preliminary findings of the ESA Topical Team Arts and Sciences (ETTAS), Acta Astronautica, Volume 115, October–November 2015, Pages 185-194.

Download Full Paper http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2014.08.015 via Science Direct.

This paper (22445) was presented during the 63th IAC International Astronautical Congress in Napels, IT 2012. Copyright © 2015 IAA.

⇐ Back to Full list of Publications ⇐ See Acta Astronautica 2015 ⇐ Check out ETTAS