Premiere of Hubble

Toespraak | 05-10-2010

Ladies and gentlemen,

‘The dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow’. These are the words of the American space pioneer Robert Goddard.

To me, space is pure magic. A dream come true. The Hubble space telescope and its servicing missions prove that you should never think ‘never’. More is possible than we could ever imagine.

In the past eight years, first as Minister of Education, Culture and Science and next as Minister of Economic Affairs, I have promoted space and astronomy. They are very special branches of science. A mission like Hubble brings out the best in the best scientists. It takes years of preparation. It takes persistence, team work and the ability to improvise. But if the mission succeeds, the rewards are sweet.

Thanks to Hubble, the Dutch astronomer Marijn Franx discovered that the first star systems swallowed each other. Cosmic cannibals, as it were. We now have a wealth of information on the farthest corners of the galaxy. On the birth of stars. On other solar systems. You will see it all shortly in the film.

Space technology is invaluable to society. Every day, we reap the benefits.

Take the systems that monitor our dikes for solidity and seepage, and the ones that track suspected terrorists. Take your mobile phone, which you can use anywhere in the world, and your TomTom, which knows the exact location of your car. Or the satellites that monitor greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and allow you to sit at home and watch a football final, broadcast live from South Africa.

Space is innovation. And it leads to new business, economic growth and jobs.

Few people in the world know that the Netherlands is among the world’s leaders in the production of measuring instruments for use in space. Last year ESA launched the Herschel telescope, a brother – or sister – to Hubble. It is equipped with the pioneering Dutch HIFI [spreek uit: haaifaai] technology that will allow us to find out all about the origin of stars and planets. And did you know that Dutch companies and institutes are now working on a successor to Hubble, the James Webb telescope?

Holland needs to hold on to its leading position. And young people agree. For the first time in twenty years, Delft University of Technology has had to draw lots for places on its aerospace engineering course. 480 students had applied!

I believe that a film like Hubble can inspire children and young people to opt for science and technology. After all, science fiction comics and TV series nourished André Kuipers’ boyhood dream of becoming an astronaut. I am delighted that with this film Omniversum is marking the start of both the Dutch Space Week and the United Nations’ World Space Week.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Eight years ago I was here for the premiere of the film Space Station and had the pleasure of meeting André Kuipers. Inspired by our conversation, I worked to make his first space mission happen. I have kept up this commitment. At the end of next year, André will be returning to the International Space Station, this time for six months. This is a unique opportunity for science. And a unique opportunity to inspire young people to opt for space, astronomy and technology.I have asked the government space agency, the Netherlands Space Office, to exploit this opportunity to the full.

Ladies and gentlemen,

After watching the film Hubble this evening, I expect that we will all look at the sky with different eyes. But first, the Omniversum has a treat in store for us. French astronaut Jean-François Clervoy is here tonight as our special guest. Monsieur Clervoy, merci d’être venu.

I wish you all a most enjoyable evening.

Thank you.