The Inspiration Zone is a place where everyone, regardless of age and space passion will find something for themselves. The ERC audience will not only experience amazing projects prepared by the robotics competition participants, but also see speakers and inventions from around the world, as well as an endless number of demonstrations, attractions and scientific experiments. On the main stage of the event, the attendees will see foremost inspiring presentations that will take them to the farthest corners of the universe but also various debates, in which experts from the industry related to the exploration of extraterrestrial space will share their work with the audience.

Guided by the motto “we inspire a new generation” we bring space and the growing role of modern technologies in our lives closer to the general public. We want our viewers to leave the ERC not only equipped with knowledge, but also inspired to action.

"The best thing a human can do is to help another human being know more" – Charlie Munger

The Inspiration Zone brings together not only the best rover constructors worldwide. Every year, world-class specialists, industry leaders and scientists gather here. Among them are astronauts, experts of the largest technology companies, leaders of space agencies and researchers from universities around the world. The ERC creates a platform of knowledge exchange for university students, space enthusiasts and potential employees of the space sector.

Therefore, the event’s program will include interdisciplinary debates on the future of human settlement on the Moon and Mars, projects and missions to the Silver Globe being developed by NASA and ESA in the coming years, as well as important topics related to sustainability, commercialization and use of space technologies on Earth.

In previous years, the ERC has hosted speakers such as Robert Cabana – NASA Associate Administrator, Steve Jurczyk – former NASA Associate Administrator, Robert Zubrin – founder of The Mars Society, Harrison Schmitt – geologist, NASA astronaut and member of the last mission to the Moon in 1972 – Apollo 17, and Tim Peake – European Space Agency astronaut.

DAILY THEME

Day 1 – MARS

Day 2 – MOON

Day 3 – EARTH

We want the extraordinary value that the ERC gives its participants to reach as wide audience as possible. That’s why our event is broadcasted on-line to viewers from all over the world. Online participants can, regardless of where they are, follow presentations and debates with space market experts. Each day of the event has a leading theme:

DAY 1 – MARS – Talks straight from Mars Yard introduce the audience to our guests, judges and student teams participating in the competition.

DAY 2 – MOON – The issues addressed by experts on the second day of the ERC concern the return of man to the Moon, the exploration of the Silver Globe and its resources, and the use of our natural satellite as a launch pad for further exploration of our solar system and deep space.

DAY 3 – EARTH – The last day of the ERC is always dedicated to the Earth, the use of space technologies to protect our planet and the use of satellite data for research in various scientific sectors. The day is also dedicated to space technologies in everyday life.

AGENDA

The rover competition and the livestream will be available to visitors every day (September 15–17, 2023, Friday to Sunday) on the campus of the Kielce University of Technology. Exhibitor zone and on-site speaker presentations will be available mostly during the weekend (September 16–17). Below you can find an agenda of the online broadcast & on-site activities. Participation in the event is free of charge. The 3-day livestream will be provided exclusively in English.

Watch the livestream

Date

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LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

European Rover Challenge – World Finals (DAY 1)

World finals of European Rover Challenge 2023. Student teams from all over the world compete for the title of the best rover construction. Attendees can follow their progress on-site 15–17 in Poland, Kielce.

11.00am

STATIONARY (ENG)

The Case for Space: How the Revolution in Spaceflight Opens a Future of Limitless Possibilities + Q&A

A lecture by Dr Robert Zubrin – founder of „The Mars Society”

12.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Conversations with Jury & space industry experts

Marsyard studio

4.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Day summary

STATIONARY (ENG)

European Rover Challenge – World Finals (DAY 2)

World finals of European Rover Challenge 2023. Student teams from all over the world compete for the title of the best rover construction. Attendees can follow their progress on-site 15–17 in Poland, Kielce.

10–5.00pm

STATIONARY (ENG)

Inspiration zone

Presentations, debates and exhibitors

The Inspiration Zone is a place where everyone, regardless of age and space passion will find something for themselves. The ERC audience will not only experience amazing projects prepared by the robotics competition participants, but also see speakers and inventions from around the world, as well as an endless number of demonstrations, attractions and scientific experiments. On the main stage of the event, the attendees will see foremost inspiring presentations that will take them to the farthest corners of the universe but also various debates, in which experts from the industry related to the exploration of extraterrestrial space will share their work with the audience.

10.00am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Takeoff (DAY 2)

A brief competition status presented by ERC Jury representatives.

10.30am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

A Traveller’s Guide To The Stars

Keynote presentation

Les Johnson – Sci-Fi author, physicist and NASA technologist

11.15am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

A dream voyage to the Moon and beyond

Debate

Join renowned experts from diverse fields as they examine the profound influence of literature, sci-fi, and space movies on our perception of the cosmos. Discover how science, cinematography, and literature inspire future generations of explorers, designers, architects, and engineers. Embark on this dream voyage to the Moon and beyond, where imagination meets reality.

Participants:
Les Johnson, author and NASA technologist
Prof. Gabriel Patrocinio, ISMAT
Kamil Muzyka, PFFN
Amelia VanderLaan, Consulate General of the United States of America in Krakow
Prof. Patrick Vaughan, UJ Dept. of American Studies, History of SciFi
Helena Milevych, KP Labs

12.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Conversations with Jury & space industry experts

Marsyard studio

12.30pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Inspiration zone showcase

All eyes on ERC exhibitors, rovers and student teams. A short segment dedicated to all those who shape the success of the ERC.

2.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

The Unique Role of Geologic Mapping in Support of Lunar Exploration

Keynote presentation

JAMES A. SKINNER, Jr. – Supervisory Geologist and USGS-NASA Planetary Geologic Mapping Program Coordinator (online)

2.45pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

The Artemis endeavor: a journey of international collaboration to the Moon

Debate

An interdisciplinary conversation with experts from diverse fields delving into the Artemis program's achievements and upcoming lunar exploration projects. This discussion highlights the collaborative efforts between the United States and Poland / Europe in space exploration and emphasizes the significance of intercultural dialogue and cooperation in fostering technological advancements, innovative solutions, and mission planning for future space endeavors.

Participants:
James A. Skinner, Jr. USGS-NASA (online)
Maria Antonietta Perino, Thales Alenia Space (online)
Nico Dettmann, ESA Head of Lunar Transportation Group (HRE-L)
Prof. Grzegorz Wrochna, POLSA
Dr Gordon Wasilewski, OFFWorld Europe (online)
Anna Krzyżanowska, Danish Technological Institute

3.30pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Conversations with Jury & space industry experts

Marsyard studio

4.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Inspiration zone showcase

All eyes on ERC exhibitors, rovers and student teams. A short segment dedicated to all those who shape the success of the ERC.

4.30pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Crime in space: Threat to Our Future

Lecture

Artemis Westenberg – CEO, Explore Mars Europe


Crimes in Space seems like an esoteric subject only for those of us that like to philosophize about happenstance events in the future. However, is that really so? What if a commercial/tourist astronaut, while in space, decides that he/she would like to do the EVA, in stead of a crewmember that is slated for that EVA and thus proceeds with hurting that crewmember? What if my (imaginary) Asteroid Mining Company miscalculates in the trajectory of the asteroid I am moving into Earth orbit to harvest its riches, and bye-bye Krakow? Sure, the Space Treaty stipulates that Governments (not companies!) are liable for damages. But who will adjudicate? How binding will the judgement be? What is clear that we need to figure out, and soon too, how to handle the expanding presence of humans in Space. Join me in my journey along the near future and what we need to agree on to make Space travel fair and keep it honest for everyone.

5.10pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Day summary

STATIONARY (ENG)

European Rover Challenge – World Finals (DAY 3)

World finals of European Rover Challenge 2023. Student teams from all over the world compete for the title of the best rover construction. Attendees can follow their progress on-site 15–17 in Poland, Kielce.

10–4.00pm

STATIONARY (ENG)

Inspiration zone

Presentations, debates and exhibitors

The Inspiration Zone is a place where everyone, regardless of age and space passion will find something for themselves. The ERC audience will not only experience amazing projects prepared by the robotics competition participants, but also see speakers and inventions from around the world, as well as an endless number of demonstrations, attractions and scientific experiments. On the main stage of the event, the attendees will see foremost inspiring presentations that will take them to the farthest corners of the universe but also various debates, in which experts from the industry related to the exploration of extraterrestrial space will share their work with the audience.

10.00am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Takeoff (DAY 3)

A brief competition status presented by ERC Jury representatives.

10.30am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Powering the Global Green Deal with Earth Observations

Keynote presentation

Dr. Anna Burzykowska – Copernicus Innovation Officer, European Space Agency

11.00am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Space sector: driving Earth’s sustainable development. Towards Space Transformation?

Debate

Join experts from various fields in a conversation about the role of the space sector in Earth's sustainable development. Explore the sector's development and its potential for daily life applications. Discover the driving force behind transformative changes in our modern world. This discussion supports UN SDG17 goals, emphasizing Earth observation, geolocation, technology transfer, satellite communication, space science, and exploration.

Participants:
Anna Burzykowska (Copernicus Innovation Officer, ESA)
Prof. Alessandro Golkar (Technical University of Munich / MIT)
Dr Aleksandra Bukała, POLSA
Artemis Westenberg, Explore Mars Europe

11.50am

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Conversations with Jury & space industry experts

Marsyard studio

12.10pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Inspiration zone showcase

All eyes on ERC exhibitors, rovers and student teams. A short segment dedicated to all those who shape the success of the ERC.

12.50pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

“Mars on Earth” photographic project presentation

Matjaž Tančič

2.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Orbiting Opportunities: Bridging Space Innovations and Everyday Business for Earth’s Future

Keynote presentation

Shelli Brunswick (online) – COO of Space Foundation, UNOOSA Mentor, brings a broad perspective and deep vision of the global space ecosystem

2.30pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Investing in the space sector

Debate

Engage in an interdisciplinary dialogue between investors, business representatives, and space sector experts, exploring the transformative impact of space technologies, data, and services in addressing current and future Earth challenges and crises. The debate will highlight the immense potential of the space sector in generating employment opportunities, fostering start-ups, and driving innovation across various aspects of our daily lives.

Participants:
Shelli Brunswick, Space Foundation (online)
Yigal Harel and Yifat Ferrer, WeSpace Technologies (online)
Raphael Roettgen, E2MC Ventures
Michał Chwieduk, ESA BIC Poland
Dr Krzysztof Kanawka, Blue Dot Solutions
Igor Kolek, Neurospace

3.20pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Inspiration zone showcase

All eyes on ERC exhibitors, rovers and student teams. A short segment dedicated to all those who shape the success of the ERC.

4.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Award ceremony

Let's find out which teams made it to the podium of both on-site and remote formula of the competition.

12.30pm

STATIONARY (ENG)

Ask Me Anything! ESA BIC Poland

WHERE: Meeting point next to Auditorium

Michal Chwieduk – Startups, teams and people willing to start their own business are welcome to ask us about possible support opportunities at ESA BIC Poland

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International speakers

Extraordinary exhibitors

3-day livestream