When SpaceX appeared in 2002, few experts could have predicted the impact it would have on the launchers market. Today, Elon Musk’s company has become one of the most prominent actors in this field of activities. Yet, SpaceX is just one example of the numerous private actors that invested in the space domain. By developing innovative technological and managerial methods, these economic players have challenged the whole space industry and put the domination of big groups (Boeing, Arianespace, etc.) into question. Regarding Europe, this trend has contributed to raise tensions among partners involved in the Ariane programme: the European autonomous access to space is now severely challenged. Moreover, the question of the future of space as a strategic asset controlled by historical space powers must be asked.

The New Space industry is currently on the track to compete, along with long-established groups, for the new challenges to come like projects of returning to the Moon or landing on Mars. Though space exploration seems to have lost something of its “magic” in the eyes of the public, it is extremely doubtful to claim that upcoming enterprises in the space sector will rely on old management methods and past innovations. In preparation for such objectives, the New Space entrepreneurship is working on innovative ways to develop the right technologies, which could regenerate an interest to space exploration.

To discuss these issues, we will be pleased to welcome Jean-Jacques Tortora, Director of the European Space Policy Institute based in Vienna, and Chris Welch from the International Space University of Strasbourg.

Download invitation

Research line: Defence capabilities and technologies

Online evening conference

Access to Space in the Era of New Space Entrepreneurship

Mister Jean-Jacques TORTORA
Mister Chris WELCH

Moderator: Alain DE NEVE

Language: English

24 September 2020, 17:00 – 18:30
> From 16:00 – Registration –
connection to online conference
> 17:00 – Conference and Q & A

Conference videos:
Mister Jean-Jacques TORTORA
Mister Chris WELCH

Related publications and events:

New Space : conséquences politiques, industrielles et doctrinales de l’entrée des nouveaux acteurs du secteur spatial
Alain DE NEVE

Military Force Projection at Risk? The question of Anti-Access/Area Denial

SCAF : un condensé des vicissitudes européennes ?
Alain DE NEVE

Bots, Social Media and Political Propaganda

L’OTAN et la supériorité technologique américaine : un risque pour la solidarité euro-atlantique ?
Alain DE NEVE

L’implication de la Belgique dans la cyberstratégie euro-atlantique : état des lieux et défis à relever
Estelle HOORICKX

Le programme B-21 Raider : armement stratégique ou institutionnel ?
Alain DE NEVE

The Age of Domes: How Global Changes Will Shape Borders and Surveillance Technologies
Alain DE NEVE

Countering “Hybrid Threats”: Belgium and the Euro-Atlantic Strategy
Estelle HOORICKX

Defending Europe: Dual-Use Technologies and Drone Development in the European Union
Raluca CSERNATONI
Focus Paper 35, September 2016

Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)
Quels atouts ? Quels enjeux ? Quelles incidences sur l’opérationnalité des armées ?
Alain DE NEVE
e-Note 16, 17 February 2015