Credit: Asteroid Foundation
On Thursday 22 May 2025, Luxembourg’s Asteroid Foundation announced the establishment of a new Advisory Board.
The new board is comprised of the foundation’s four founding members, Patrick Michel, Slava G. Turyshev, Carlo Hansen and Hussein Rifai.
The Asteroid Foundation is a non-profit organisation with headquarters in Luxembourg and supported by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and the Luxembourg-based André Losch Foundation. The foundation reported that it is dedicated to raising global awareness of asteroids and space while encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in space professions, science and missions.
The Asteroid Foundation is celebrating the tenth anniversary of Asteroid Day on Monday 30 June 2025. It noted that the UN-recognised day, uniting institutions, industry, businesses and academia, is the focal point of the foundation’s activities.
The Asteroid Foundation added that the purpose and task of the new Advisory Board is to offer strategic advice to the Board of Directors, provide perspectives and suggest guidance in pursuing its mission. The non-operational board will eventually grow to include up to eight members.
“We are thrilled to welcome Carlo, Hussein, Patrick and Slava as the founding members of our new Advisory Board and look forward to their invaluable support,” said Markus Payer, Chair of the Board of Directors of Asteroid Foundation. “The formation of the Advisory Board and the appointment of its four founding members drives us to enhance our outreach and advance our mission at a time when, more than ever, engagement and investment in space science and exploration need strong advocacy. We are confident that Asteroid Day and Asteroid Foundation have a bright future and a prosperous next ten years”.
Board Director member, Daniel Biedermann, added: “We are honoured to have such a distinguished group of people here. Every new member will contribute outstanding knowledge in planetary defence, astrophysics, science advocacy and strategic business leadership. Their combined expertise will be essential to furthering our goals, maintaining the momentum and driving exciting new initiatives. With the support of this new board, we will increase our worldwide presence, encourage the peaceful use of space and help shield our planet from asteroid strikes and other harmful impacts”.
The tenth Asteroid Day programme will take place in Luxembourg City, with the “Astronomer for a Night” sky observation on Thursday 26 June, “Asteroid Day Space Lecture” on Friday 27 June and the “Asteroid Day Festival” on Saturday 28 June 2025. It will conclude with an Art and Science performance at Philharmonie Luxembourg on the evening of Saturday 28 June 2025. Further details will be available shortly at https://asteroidday.org/events-in-luxembourg/.
