On 28-29 January 2025, our ESPI delegation of nine experts attended and actively participated in the 17th European Space Conference in Brussels. In addition to our dedicated ESPI booth, our team was involved in 10 ESPI-led and ESPI-moderated sessions across the Conference’s three venues, sharing and enhancing our shared European reflections on space policy and strategy for a strong Europe as a partner to the world.
Our Director, H. Ludwig Moeller, closed the Conference by sharing his Key Takeaways and reflections, which you can read below:
New Actors: There is a positive trend of more voices from beyond the space sector, with about 30% of intervention from political stakeholders, parliamentarians, and actors in other sectors like defence, and with an increased contribution from new industrial actors with a share of about 40%. This is a positive development in building a wider and dynamic eco-system beyond the traditional space bubble.
Security & Defence: There is much more direct language related to the security and defence dimension of space (e.g. “we are under threat”), underscoring a clear acknowledgment of the dual-use nature of space and the understanding that security is much more than the military use of space.
Europe & the Wild West: There is uncertainty on how Europe shall face what may become the “largest deregulation campaign in history” on the other side of the Atlantic, and the call for Europe to step-up and find its own role in space is more present than ever.
No Space Without Industry: The need for a competitive industry is at the core of much debate, acknowledging that space will not exist without industry.
EC & ESA: There is mutual recognition of the importance of a successful ESA CM25 for the EC and of a strong next EU MFF for ESA.
Wider Impact: Europe cannot miss out in grasping the full benefit of space for the wider economy – this is about getting space into other sectors of the economy, such as transport, energy, health, etc. This could be the cornerstone of the “European” way of doing space.
A European Strategy? There is an outstanding need for consolidated European space strategy, in concertation of European and national strategies, that goes beyond governmental cycles, captures the duality of space, leverages all actors, sets clear goals and secures the required public investments to also leverage private finance.
International Dimension: Against the backdrop of overarchingly European participation (and very limited reflection concerning USA, India, or China), the international dimension of space at this platform, to not just discuss among Europeans, needs to be better developed
Below you can find a selection of photos of our team at the Conference:
