THOMAS PESQUET becomes a patron of AVIATION SANS FRONTIÈRES

The ESA astronaut will make the announcement at a press conference taking place on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Thursday, 12 September  2019

Among the foremost French ESA astronauts to share his experiences with the general public, in particular through his social media posts, Thomas Pesquet has helped to raise awareness among French people of the social and economic value of scientific research in space.

In keeping with his values – from the protection of the environment to the condition of our life on Earth – he has decided to work shoulder to shoulder with the 800 volunteers of Aviation Sans Frontières (Aviation without Borders). Thomas will help communicate the organisation’s missions to the general public and will become its new patron.

Media Conference
11:00–12:30 (arrival at 10:00 CEST, doors close at 10:45 CEST).
Introduction by Gérard Feldzer, President of Aviation Sans Frontières
Remarks from Bernhard von Weyhe, ESA Media Relations

Presentation by astronaut Thomas Pesquet about his support for Aviation Sans Frontières and his wish to become a patron.

Further information

ESA astronaut THOMAS PESQUET is one of France’s best-loved personalities, a 41-year-old former space engineer and Air France pilot, gifted at sport and passionate about music. In 2008, he took part in the ESA recruitment campaign for the selection of six astronauts; following a series of intellectual, psychological and physical tests, Thomas was selected from among the 8,000 candidates. Following a long period of training, which lasted seven years , Thomas Pesquet was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in November 2016 for a six-month mission.
Through social media and public engagement, Thomas Pesquet has helped to raise awareness among French people of the social and economic value of scientific research in space.
http://thomaspesquet.esa.int/ (Photo credit : ESA / NASA)

Since 1980, AVIATION SANS FRONTIÈRES has used the capabilities and expertise of aeronautics in humanitarian service. The NGO brings indispensable logistical support to thousands of humanitarian agents guaranteeing the delivery of emergency aid, and transporting people all over the world.
Internationally, Aviation Sans Frontières every year accompanies hundreds of children in need of urgent care to be treated in Europe, as well as delivering medicine and essential products to those most in need, and escorts people who have been granted asylum to their new host country. In France, Aviation Sans Frontières works in collaboration with some fifteen flying clubs to allow socially isolated young people and people with disabilities to discover the world of air transport.
https://www.asf-fr.org

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world..
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.
Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space. ESA also has a strong applications programme developing services in Earth observation, navigation and telecommunications.
www.esa.int / www.esa.fr

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