Communication in multicultural groups

Paper number

IAC-05-E5.P.08

Author

Mrs. Marie De Cock, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Philippe Willekens, International Astronautical Federation, France

Coauthor

Mr. Tor Viscor, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Year

2005

Abstract

30 Years ago, the European Space Agency was created leading the path for several upcoming international organisations and later multinational companies on how to work across the borders with several countries under the same flagship. It took time for the initial 6, then 17 ESA Members States to find ways to take decisions, reach consensus, put resources in common, cooperate on international programmes. Communication methods had to evolve with time to follow the slow emergence of Europe as a unite space fairing, taking into account the differences of the cultures, the various economical and political situations of the participating countries and their industries.

Today, the young generation are following the track and find themselves learning all the ins and outs of Europe in a very practical hands-on initiative called SSETI (Student Space Exploration and Technology Initiative). Instigated by the ESA Education Department, SSETI is a framework that enables groups of Students from various European countries to propose and develop micro-satellite projects. Three projects are on-going: Express an SSO technology demonstrator in its final integration stage and due for launch in the summer 2005, ESEO a GTO Earth explorer in its mid-Phase B and ESMO a moon orbiter in pre-phase A study.

In such an international environment, having the adequate technology does not mean that communication is straightforward. Throughout these projects, students are facing various technical and economical challenges as well as a social and cultural first hand experience. In order to animate and maintain its European network, the European groups of students are using specifically adapted communication tools based on Internet. 

This paper will address the unique features and difficulties encountered by this multicultural group united in their goals to launch a satellite on their own. The paper describes the advantages and wealth of resources of such a mix for innovative ideas and new working methods.

Abstract document

IAC-05-E5.P.08.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-E5.P.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.