As we turn around the corner of time and step into a consequent New Year, it is with great pleasure and excitement that I am taking on my new role as Editor-in-Chief of the outstanding Council of European Aerospace Societies (CEAS) Space Journal publication. Since the end of last year, it has been a true honour having been offered the opportunity to succeed Professor Constantinos Stavrinidis in this esteemed position.

I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank Professor Stavrinidis for his significant contribution, dedicated hard work and unperturbed perseverance with the initial establishment and, indeed, the current success and world-class standing of the CEAS Space Journal today. Having capitalised on his visionary goal to offer European and international scientists and engineers a prestigious publication to present high-quality research, technological advancements, new developments and experimental results, in 2011, Professor Stavrinidis took the bold initiative to launch the CEAS Space Journal. Since its inception, and with valuable support from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA), the journal has established itself as a solid and reputable forum for showcasing a diverse array of original work spanning across all areas of space-related science and technology. Addressing, amongst others, classical, dedicated fields including aerothermodynamics, propulsion, robotics and optics, the CEAS Space Journal also presents research and results from new and current areas of interest, such as advances in manufacturing, novel technology applications, space debris, mission design and space systems concepts, as well as crucial operational considerations. Today, the consistently outstanding quality of contributions is testament to the Journal’s excellent standing and high visibility within the scientific, research and academic space sectors—which is, of course, a direct testament to the hard work of the CEAS Space Journal Editorial teams and Springer Publishers responsible for the success of the publication.

To the backdrop of a shifting academic, economic, and political landscape, the space community is standing at the cusp of progressive changes within the industry. Both challenging and exciting times lie ahead. In view of this, right now, it is more imperative than ever to strengthen, promote and expand a collaborative professional community internationally, but more specifically, within Europe itself. To this means, the CEAS Space Journal contributes a sovereign and unique base for publishing contributions across all areas of space-related science and technology, for both current concepts, as well as forward-looking, cutting-edge research presenting novel options for paving the way of the future.

In my current role as the Executive Board Member for Space Research and Space Technology at the German Aerospace Center, I am thrilled to have the prestigious position to strongly support the CEAS Space Journal throughout its next phases of evolution. In addition to my appointment as Editor-in-Chief, my DLR co-worker, Dr. Olga Trivailo, has assumed the position of Managing Editor for the Journal, supporting Mr. Torben Henriksen and taking over the role from Dr. Wilhelm Kordulla within this critical function. Here, I also wish to extend my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Kordulla for his tireless efforts, endless energy, impressive enthusiasm, motivation and hard work that he has invested into the current success and reputable standing of the CEAS Space Journal publication.

I also wish to acknowledge the valuable contributions of every single CEAS Board member, the Editorial Board, the Springer Publishing team, as well as the outstanding Field Editors and Reviewers who have continuously delivered their impacting inputs to the Journal since its commencement. I look forward to continuing our work, moving forward with the same energy and positive spirit. Consequently, I would like to wish everyone a successful and prosperous future of synergetic collaborations, fruitful co-operations and close-knit, dynamic teamwork—all crowned, of course, by the excellent research and science which the CEAS Space Journal consistently showcases.

Yours Sincerely,

Hansjörg Dittus