To Mars or not to Mars

Explore the future of space exploration
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In this keynote, space expert and astronaut trainer Nancy Vermeulen will expand your perspective on the world, space, and the economy. What lessons can we glean from manned missions to other planets? What hurdles must we surmount? What does the future of space exploration entail, and how will it impact our world?
Discover the Evolving Space Economy
What advancements can we anticipate in the years ahead? Will our future be on the moon or Mars? Is sustainable life on another planet feasible? What challenges still need conquering?
Gain Insight into Space as a Source of Innovation
As we move towards a space economy, our endeavors will extend beyond Earth's boundaries. Could mining resources on distant planets, cultivating crops on the moon, or manufacturing materials in a weightless environment soon become a reality? Space exploration is set to revolutionize our economy.
Explore New Products from Space Innovations
Many everyday products, from insulation materials to GPS, have origins in space exploration. What other groundbreaking innovations might emerge from our ventures into space?
Gain a Fresh Perspective on Global Challenges
From space, we gain a clearer view of pressing global issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and natural disasters. Discover how space exploration serves broader societal interests beyond politics and economics.
Understand Team Dynamics through Space Simulations
Lastly, consider the psychological aspects of both space exploration and business. Nancy Vermeulen's team spent 14 days in Utah's desolate desert simulating a Mars expedition to study team dynamics and communication under extreme conditions. These insights are directly applicable to enhancing team performance in the corporate world.
Nancy Vermeulen is a former commercial airline pilot-instructor, Master in theoretical physics and astronomy, was Commander of a Mars simulation in Utah and took part in the ESA astronaut selections of 2008.
Bringing the universe closer to people and vice a versa, that is Nancy Vermeulen’s personal mission.
In 2018 she founded the Space Training Academy where she prepares private astronauts and suborbital scientists for their first journey into space.
She is an international motivational speaker and guest lecturer for, among others: TEDx events, Deloitte University and the European Commission. In 2021 she published a first book “Iedereen Ruimtevaarder” (Everyone an Astronaut) (Lannoo).
Nancy Vermeulen has brought her aerospace expertise into the business world as a strategic leadership advisor, guiding individuals and organizations toward leadership excellence. In March 2025, she published her second book, "Aerospace Attitudes" (Pelckmans) about communication and personal leadership. She also serves as an independent board member and is active in Rotary.
Strategic leadership advisor for whom the sky is not the limit
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