Dr Kathryn Hadler, President of the FNR PEARL, appointment

Led by Dr. Mathias Link as Acting Director since its inception, ESRIC’s activities revolve around research and development of space resources, support for economic activities, knowledge management and community management. Launched in 2020, ESRIC is powered by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and the European Space Agency (ESA) as a strategic partner.

The Centre, which has evolved into a core team of a dozen people, has made rapid progress over the past 15 months in collaboration with its partners. The year 2021 saw the launch of the world’s first start-up program dedicated to space resources, the ramp-up of the first laboratories and the start of the centre’s first research projects, as well as the organization of the resource week. 2021 – a major international event in the field of space resources. ESRIC has also initiated major partnerships with industrial partners such as Airbus and Air Liquide, and launched a space resource exploration challenge with ESA.

Dr. Hadler’s appointment will strengthen ESRIC’s expertise in mineral processing and beneficiation and enable the creation of an internationally recognized research group that will advance scientific discovery and technology development in resource utilization. in situ (ISRU).

“A new era of human and robotic exploration of space beyond low Earth orbit is underway”, explains Kathryn Hadler. “For humans to travel farther and stay longer in space, systems must be developed to sustain human life and refuel spacecraft using locally found resources. As a result, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization) is now a key part of space agencies’ strategy for space exploration.

As a new resource utilization system, it is essential that the ISRU be used as an example of best practice in resource extraction, based on the concepts of end-to-end process optimization, circularity materials, zero waste and restoring pristine environments. ”

The 3.7 MEUR FNR PEARL funding complements ESRIC resources and will be used to build a world-renowned research team working on a program dedicated to “Solutions for the Sustainable and Responsible Use of Space Resources (SolSR)”. The strategic objectives of the SolSR program include the development of technologies that provide solutions to the technical challenges presented by the ISRU, the production of technologies, tools and roadmaps that demonstrate sustainable and responsible approaches to the use of resources in space, and the creation of tangible opportunities for collaboration with space and terrestrial industries. , including mining and recycling. With these additional researchers, ESRIC is expected to grow to more than 30 researchers over the next 2 years.

While Dr. Kathryn Hadler will be entrusted with the task of strengthening ESRIC, Dr. Mathias Link will remain involved in the Centre’s activities as Chair of the ESRIC Steering Committee.
“After this first launch phase, LSA looks forward to continuing to nurture ESRIC as one of its founding members..” says Mathias Link. As part of his mandate as Director at LSA, he will also continue to coordinate the SpaceResources.lu initiative launched in 2016, of which ESRIC is a key element.

“Luxembourg was a forerunner by launching the SpaceResources.lu initiative a few years ago. It is now recognized as a strategic subject for the future of space exploration by key partners such as ESA, with whom we were able to create ESRIC. Luxembourg was again at the forefront, with the launch of the ESRIC Start up Support Program (SSP), the first global program dedicated to commercial initiatives in the field of space resource utilization (SRU). The appointment of Dr. Hadler will help advance SRU research and continue to position Luxembourg as a pioneer in the field, while placing sustainability at the heart of its concerns. says Franz Fayot, Minister of the Economy.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Hadler, as the new director of ESRIC and as a member of the executive committee of LIST. This PEARL program, under the direction of Dr. Hadler, will generate numerous cross-functional collaborations within LIST, seeking for example opportunities for terrestrial uses of space technologies developed within the framework of the program. It will contribute to LIST’s sustainability strategy and to the positioning of Luxembourg research at the international level. Says Thomas Kallstenius, CEO of LIST.

“Space resource research and technology work is a growing part of ESA’s Terrae Novae exploration program, and the strong partnership with Luxembourg that created ESRIC is a key part of our plan. Therefore, we really look forward to working with Kathryn to ensure Europe’s ambitions are realized soon.” confirms David Parker, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration – ESA

“ESRIC’s work is essential to advancing ESA’s space resources strategy and preparing for the sustainable exploration of the Moon and Mars. Dr. Hadler’s experience and skill will help ensure that the technologies developed for space resources will help build a circular economy on Earth.” Strengthens Bernhard Hufenbach, Head of Commercialization and Innovation Team – ESA Human and Robotics Exploration Directorate

“I am very happy to see that Dr Hadler will join the European Center for Space Resources Innovation. “The PEARL grant from the FNR will allow him to set up an ambitious research and innovation program on the sustainable use of space resources, with important dual-use terrestrial ramifications – in perfect harmony with national research priorities”says Dr. Marc Schiltz, CEO of the FNR.

___________

About ESRIC

Based in Luxembourg, the European Space Resources Innovation Center (ESRIC) fosters innovation and growth in the space resources industry by connecting leading academic, industrial and entrepreneurial talent. ESRIC’s activities are based on four main pillars: research and development of space resources; support for economic activities; knowledge management and community management. The Centre, launched in November 2020, is an initiative of the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) in strategic partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA).

www.esric.lu

About the FNR

The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) is the main funder of research activities in Luxembourg. We invest public funds and private donations in research projects in various branches of science and humanities, with an emphasis on selected key strategic areas. In addition, we support and coordinate activities to strengthen the link between science and society and raise awareness of research. We also advise the Luxembourg government on research policy and strategy.
___

Appendix: Biography of Dr. Hadler

Dr. Kathryn Hadler is a chemical engineer with many years of experience in the mineral processing industry. She has been a lecturer in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London since 2011. Her research has a strong industrial focus and she has carried out numerous experimental trials in earth processing plants. whole world. In her main area of ​​research, froth flotation, she has developed an optimization methodology that has been implemented worldwide. In recent years, she has built a new research group at ISRU, translating terrestrial expertise to the space resource sector. She leads the ESA thematic team on space resources.

Dr. Hadler received his M.Sc. in Engineering and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Manchester. She has many years of experience teaching, supervising and engaging the public and is passionate about using ISRU concepts to improve mining on Earth.

Warning: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of press releases posted on EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.