SwissTouch on the Moon
Fifty years ago, astronauts walked on the moon for the first time. The Apollo 11 mission included the Swiss-engineered Solar Wind Composition Experiment developed by the University of Bern, the only non-American experiment in which the solar wind was captured and evaluated back in Bern. Jürg Meister, a student of the University of Bern in 1969, contributed significantly to the success of the experiment of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission of 1969. 50 years later, he is back in the United States to celebrate 50 years of Swiss-American collaboration in space research with Oliver Botta, Scientific Advisor and member of the Swiss Delegation to European Space Agency (ESA), and professor and director of the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS, Willy Benz.
How was it to be part of the design of the Solar Wind Experiment?
Jürg Meister: For me it was very important of course. I am especially proud today when I look up to the moon and know that five units that I have held in my hands are now still up there. That is definitely something special. I always knew that the experiment would work. We worked very hard on it and made sure that there would be no errors.
How many people were working on the experiment? And how long did it take?
JM: About a dozen people. I started working on the experiment in 1965 and delivered the final result in May 1969; so four years in total. Looking back, it amazes me that we were really able to complete the experiment with such a small team. I am proud to have been part of it.
How was it to be the one to deliver the experiment to the United States?
JM: The delivery was exciting. There were some hurdles to overcome, but in the end, I carried it in my hand luggage. I had a letter from the Embassy of Switzerland with me that explained who I was and that I was carrying a part of the Apollo 11 mission. I was very proud of that.
Despite being a small country, Switzerland has demonstrated that it can play an important role in the field of space. How do you think Switzerland can play a role in the future of space research?
Oliver Botta: The strong education system in Switzerland and the innovation that is present in our industries contribute to today’s space research; and I believe it will do so in the future as well. I’m convinced that space science — and science in general — is one of our strengths.
How important is collaboration for achievements in space?
OB: Triggered by the successful Solar Wind Experiment between the University of Bern and NASA, Switzerland has put forward the idea that these kinds of missions should always be put into an international context. Being a small country, Switzerland cannot do such projects on its own so we rely on international partnerships that allow us to pursue our ideas and bring in our strengths.
What is Switzerland’s goal in space?
OB: Our policy basically has three pillars: the first is to pursue excellence in science and exploration. The second is the utilisation of space infrastructures to the benefit of our citizens; in navigation or weather forecasting for example. The third aim is to have a strong and competitive industry. One example are the Swiss atomic watches that are used in space.
What is next in space research?
Willy Benz: We have achieved a lot, but we are still left with a lot of tough questions and challenging problems. Is there any other life in the universe? What is the origin of the universe? Scientifically, there are a lot more questions than we have answers. And when we find an answer, it usually raises new questions; it’s an endless game. But in the end, it is not even necessarily the answer to a question that is interesting, but all the means that have to be put in place in order to answer the questions. This is what pushes the industry and breaks barriers.
How can Switzerland play a role in the journey of space research?
WB: Switzerland has a handful of unique abilities. Most importantly, however, we have a strong education system. Two Swiss astronomers discovered the first planet outside the solar system! Switzerland has remained leading in space research ever since. We might not have many resources, but we have brains and might as well use them.
Can you tell us about the CHEOPS mission you are working on?
The mission of CHEOPS, which stands for “Characterizing exoplanet Satellite”, is to investigate so-called exoplanets outside Earth’s solar system. It is the first Swiss-led satellite project being launched in collaboration with the European Space Agency and its main component will be a Swiss-made telescope.
