The Industrial Challenges and Opportunities of Mars Exploration
From expert perspectives to a shared European conversation.
Following the success of the first Europe2Mars webinar in June, the European Mars Society chapters return with a new, more interactive format.
This live roundtable brings together two distinguished experts from the European Space Agency, Mars Society chapter leaders from across Europe and the audience for an open discussion on the technological, scientific and industrial path towards Mars exploration.
The discussion will explore the principal challenges that must be overcome to advance Mars exploration, the opportunities these challenges create for European research and industry, and the role that a coordinated civil-society network can play in connecting expertise across countries.
Featured guests
Dr Orson Sutherland
Programme Manager for Mars Exploration and Acting Exploration Chief Scientist
Dr Colin Wilson
Planetary Scientist
Project Scientist for Mars Express and the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
How the roundtable works
The event will open with two focused expert perspectives of approximately 10-15 minutes each. A moderated roundtable will then invite the European chapter leaders to raise questions, compare national perspectives and discuss the capabilities that the Mars Society network can contribute. The final part will be dedicated to questions from the audience.
Expert perspectives
Two ESA experts introduce the scientific, technological and programme-level challenges of Mars exploration.
European chapter dialogue
Mars Society chapter leaders ask questions and bring perspectives from their national communities.
Audience Q&A
Participants can submit questions for the final live discussion.
Programme
A dynamic programme combining expert insights, questions from European Mars Society chapter leaders and direct participation from the audience.
- 5 min — Welcome and introduction to Europe2Mars
- 10-15 min — Opening perspective by Dr Colin Wilson
- 10-15 min — Opening perspective by Dr Orson Sutherland
- 25-30 min — Moderated roundtable with European Mars Society chapter leaders
- 15 min — Audience questions
- 5 min — Closing remarks and presentation of the network's next steps
Moderator: to be announced
A European conversation on the road to Mars
Europe2Mars connects national Mars Society chapters and their scientific, technical, educational and outreach capabilities. During the roundtable, chapter leaders will contribute questions and perspectives from across Europe, helping to identify shared priorities and opportunities for cooperation.
Mars Society chapter leaders
Austria
Gernot Grömer
Belgium
Sarah Baatout
France
Jean-Marc Salotti
Italy
Antonio Del Mastro
Poland
Krzysztof Zarsaka
Switzerland
Pierre Brisson
About Europe2Mars
The first Europe2Mars webinar, held in June 2026, brought together six speakers from six European countries and attracted more than 400 registrations. The September event builds on that momentum with a more interactive roundtable format.
Discover Europe2MarsRegister now
Join the live discussion and submit your questions to our guests and European chapter leaders.
The event is held online. Access details and the streaming link will be sent by email to registered participants before the event.
Questions? Write to info@europe2mars.space.