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Interview with
Marco Sieber

Marco Sieber, who was born in the canton of Bern, was appointed an astronaut by the European Space Agency in November 2022. He answered our questions about the European Space Agency’s special coin.

Swissmint is launching the new ‘ESA’ special coin on 11 June 2026, thereby showcasing a flagship Swiss project. What do you think of the idea of the ‘ESA’ special coin in general, and specifically, of course, the coin’s design?

I think the idea of an ESA special coin is very successful. It brings together two worlds that, at first glance, seem worlds apart: space travel and cultural heritage. Coins are, after all, always a reflection of their time – and this one tells a story about Europe’s access to space and Switzerland’s role in it.

ESA special coin

Switzerland is participating in the Ariane 6 programme. How significant is Switzerland’s involvement, and what makes it indispensable?

Switzerland historically contributes highly specialised technologies.

In this sense, Switzerland is absolutely a reliable and important partner. European space exploration is a team effort – and every member makes a crucial contribution to the overall success.

 

Since May 2025, the ESA has had a site in Switzerland. Could you briefly introduce it to us?

The new ESA site in Switzerland, the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre – ESDI for short – is essentially an innovation hub. It brings the ESA even closer to Switzerland’s strong research and technology landscape and specifically promotes future technologies such as data science, quantum technology and new materials. The idea is to bring new approaches into space faster – whilst at the same time feeding back impetus from space into the economy and society. In short: the ESDI is a bridge between cutting-edge research and space – and an important step towards further accelerating innovation in Europe.

“The coin is not just an object, but a symbol of Europe’s access to space – and of Switzerland’s contribution to it. It tells a story that is only just beginning.”

Marco Sieber
© ESA - P. Sebirot

We expect that the new ‘ESA’ special coin will also appeal to new collectors. What do you think makes this coin special?

I believe this coin appeals not only to traditional collectors, but also to people interested in issues of the future. Space travel stands for curiosity, progress and international cooperation.

Another special feature is the combination of artistic design and technological significance. The coin is not just an object, but a symbol of Europe’s access to space – and of Switzerland’s contribution to it.

It tells a story that is only just beginning.

 

What fascinates you most or inspires you most about your work at the ESA?

What fascinates me most is the combination of extremes: the highest level of technological precision on the one hand, and the really big questions facing humanity on the other.

We work on systems that have to function under conditions we can scarcely replicate on Earth – and at the same time, it’s always about the bigger picture: Where do we come from? How can we, as humanity, move forward?

And last but not least, it’s the international collaboration. People from all over Europe – and beyond – are working together towards a common goal. That’s not only technically impressive, but also humanly inspiring.

To finish up, here’s a question we ask all our interviewees: are you a numismatist, or do you have another collecting passion? If so, what is it?

I’m not a traditional numismatist – but I understand the fascination with collecting very well. What appeals to me personally are experiences rather than objects: special places, missions, adventures. I’ve moved around a great deal in my life, so it would probably make life rather difficult if I had to move a large collection of objects with me every time.