Happy 50th birthday European Space Agency (ESA)!
When ESA was just 14 years old, and I was 16 years old, I won a contest with the local newspaper "De Typhoon", now Dagblad Zaanstreek, and got the opportunity to visit ESTEC for watching the launch of the Olympus satellite in 1989. That long summer, I actually got to visit ESTEC three times for this launch, together with my dad Maarten Laan, and Zaanlands Lyceum physics teacher Fons Bleijendaal. The first time, we were a day too early and only saw a guard and a gate. The 2nd time, Ariane 3 was ready to go but seconds before lift-off, something went into the red. It was all explained to me by a rather drunk Electrical Engineer in incomprehensible English. Then, 3 times is a charm, it was launched and this was the moment I thought, I want to work here. It went a bit different, but ended up working for many industries that worked on ESA projects. Whenever I am at ESTEC around the Einstein room, there is that distinct wood smell, and I immediately think back to that July 12, 1989, the day that we met. Congratulations again! On to the next 50!
Below is a photo of the invitation to "De Typhoon" readers on June 21, 1989, with the contest announcement.
Got a present yesterday from my aunt. Two special euro coins minted by the Dutch and Belgian royal mints, to celebrate ESA's 50th birthday. Funny observation is that the Belgians minted a 2.5 euro coin where the Dutch produced a meager 50 eurocents... It's about the same ratio that both governments tend to subscribe for (per inhabitant) in the ESA programme. That can be changed though in November 2025, at the next ESA ministerial council in Bremen.
