{"id":11667,"date":"2026-06-29T11:18:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T09:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sondermuenze.ch\/?post_type=magazin&p=11667"},"modified":"2026-06-29T11:51:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T09:51:03","slug":"interview-with-daniel-neuenschwander","status":"publish","type":"magazin","link":"https:\/\/www.sondermuenze.ch\/en\/magazine\/interview-with-daniel-neuenschwander\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Daniel Neuenschwander"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Interview with Daniel Neuenschwander<\/h1>\n

On 19 March, we presented the \u201cESA\u201d special coin and took the opportunity to interview Daniel Neuenschwander, Head of the Department of Human and Robotic Exploration.<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"Sonderm\u00fcnze<\/picture><\/div><\/div>

On 11 June 2026, Swissmint launched the new \u201cESA\u201d special coin which showcases a flagship Swiss project. What do you think of the idea behind the \u201cESA\u201d special coin itself, and specifically, of course, the coin\u2019s design?<\/strong>\n

I really like the new coin, so I\u2019d like to pay a big compliment to the artist. The coin depicts a rocket\u2019s payload fairing and this is an area in which Switzerland has held a leading position since the early days of European space travel. We Swiss are rightly proud of this position but it also shows that there are other planets besides our own. We should always maintain this outward perspective.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\u201cWe launch projects and
\nwork on solutions without
\nfully understanding the issues
\ninvolved.\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

Switzerland is participating in the Ariane 6 programme. How significant is Switzerland\u2019s involvement, and what makes it indispensable?<\/strong>\n

The Swiss contribution is, quite literally, top-class, as the payload fairing is located at the very top of the rocket. This fairing protects satellites during the first few minutes as they pass through the densest layers of the atmosphere, where extreme thermal, acoustic and aerodynamic conditions prevail. This technology represents a major contribution by Swiss leading-edge expertise.<\/p>\n

This payload fairing, made in Switzerland, is now also being used in North America \u2013 simply because it is top-class. In addition to the payload fairing, there is a second Swiss player involved in the Ariane 6 project. Whilst the payload fairing comes mainly from German-speaking Switzerland, the second player is based in French-speaking Switzerland \u2013 a detail that is not insignificant to me. This is where the booster mountings are manufactured, which are used to attach the engines to the rocket\u2019s core stage. These must withstand the immense upward thrust transmitted to the core stage \u2013 yet another Swiss masterpiece.<\/p>\n<\/div>

ESA has had a site in Switzerland since May 2025. Could you briefly tell us about it?<\/strong>\n

Our new site in Villingen ESDI is about harnessing truly advanced technology development from the ETH Domain for future topics within a deep tech space logic context. These topics will then be incorporated into the preparations for future technologies for space missions. In my opinion it is not enough for Switzerland to be \u201cahead of the pack\u201d with every rocket today. We must also position ourselves at the forefront of new technologies and topics. Only then can we continue to demonstrate Swiss excellence now and in the future.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"ESA\"<\/picture><\/div>
Daniela Weithaler (Head of Marketing and Sales at Swissmint\u2009\u2013\u20091st from right) presents the ESA special coin to Josef Aschbacher (ESA Director General\u2009\u2013\u20092nd from left) alongside Fabia Lyrenmann (Swissmint coin designer\u2009\u2013\u20091st from left), Daniel Neuenschwander (Director of Human and Robotic Exploration\u2009\u2013\u20093rd from left) and Renato Krpoun (Chair of the ESA Council at delegate level and Head of the Swiss Space Office at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation \u2013\u20092nd from right)<\/div><\/div>[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]

We expect that the new \u201cESA\u201d special coin will appeal to new collectors. What makes this coin unique in your view? <\/strong>\n

I like the fact that every Swiss person could, in effect, carry a piece of space exploration around in their pocket. But what seems far more important to me is raising awareness about the extent to which we depend on space data. Just think of the apps on our smartphones \u2013 almost all of them are based on space-based technologies or space-based infrastructure. Without space exploration, these apps would not work. We should all be aware that space technology enables weather forecasts and navigation systems. It provides data for all the apps we use every day. Let\u2019s be frank: space exploration has become an integral part of our daily lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]

What fascinates or inspires you most about your work at ESA?<\/strong>\n

We launch projects and work on solutions without fully understanding all the relevant issues. And it\u2019s precisely these opportunities to push cutting-edge technology and scientific excellence to the limits of what is possible that fascinate me. I also find it very satisfying and enriching to work in an environment with such diverse professional backgrounds and cultures..<\/p>\n<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]

\n

\u00a0\u201cSpace exploration has
\nbecome an integral part
\nof our daily lives.\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"ESA<\/picture><\/div><\/div>

Finally, a question we ask all our interviewees: are you a numismatist or do you have another passion for collecting, and if so, what?<\/strong>
\nI have never collected coins myself. But that doesn\u2019t mean I don\u2019t find coins fascinating. They form part of the identity of a society and its people. Just for that reason, I enjoy looking at coins from other countries. Personally, I \u201conly\u201d collect mission patches which is hardly surprising, given that I work on astronaut, rocket and robotic missions. Sophie Adenot is currently on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the \u201cEpsilon\u201d mission. I find the hummingbird depicted on the mission patch a very fitting symbol of our work. The plant life in the jungle could not survive at all without the work of the hummingbirds. This means that every contribution, no matter how small, is important and can have a major impact.<\/p>\n

Image source: \u00a9 shop.esa.int<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

ESA astronaut Marco Sieber, originally from Bern, also answered these questions for us<\/a><\/use><\/svg>ESA astronaut Marco Sieber, originally from Bern, also answered these questions for us<\/span><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-11667","magazin","type-magazin","status-publish","hentry","thema-special-coins"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sondermuenze.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin\/11667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sondermuenze.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sondermuenze.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/magazin"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.sondermuenze.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin\/11667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11680,"href":"https:\/\/www.sondermuenze.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin\/11667\/revisions\/11680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sondermuenze.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}