HFU space researcher guest in Brazil

Sociologist and transformation researcher Prof. Dr. Stefan Selke from Furtwangen University (HFU) is currently a guest at the Brazilian space agency AEB (Agência Espacial Brasileira) in the capital Brasília. Since becoming a “Research Fellow for Space Flight and Future Narrative” at the European Space Agency ESA in Paris in 2023, Selke has been researching the topic of “The public value of new space exploration”. The focus here is on the question of the significance of space travel beyond technical benefits and how narratives of progress in space travel can be combined with future narratives of social change.

Selke developed his unusual field of research after first studying aerospace engineering and then sociology and other social sciences and humanities. Against this background, he is now analysing the social attributions of meaning to space travel alongside technological challenges. “The aim,” says Selke, ”is to understand what people actually mean when they talk about space travel.”

Through the Austrian Ambassador to Brazil, Dr. Stefan Scholz, Prof. Selke gave a keynote speech at the AEB in Brazil, which was followed by a lively and sometimes controversial discussion. “The President of the AEB, Marco Chamon, had a lot of questions after my presentation,” says Selke, ‘after all, it was about asking about the future ’know why‘ of space travel in addition to the usual ’know how'. To do this, we first have to unmask the things we have come to take for granted. In the end, however, it was an extremely fruitful debate for both sides.”

Selke's research topic was also discussed further at a reception at the Austrian embassy. “Space travel is above all − political,” says Selke. The HFU professor inspired the invited high-ranking politicians, ambassadors and military representatives with questions about the future of space travel, the possible role of Brazil and potential cooperation with Europe in a changed geopolitical situation.

The timing for the meeting is good. Brazil, Austria and Europe have all just published new space strategies, but these have not yet been systematically compared. “There are numerous research gaps here,” says Selke, who is currently working with his colleague Prof. Dr. Ralf Gerlich on an interdisciplinary research project entitled ”Strategic Exploration of the Emerging Research Field of New Space. Inter- and transdisciplinary dialogues between space power and public value” at the HFU Institute for Applied Research. The research tandem sees itself as a fundamental contribution to the implementation of a progressive research perspective at the university. In March, Stefan Selke will present the first results at the Vienna Space & Security Congress. Further research visits are planned, for example to the European development center ESTEC in Nordwijk in the Netherlands.