The increasing number of services resulting from the exploitation of satellite resources has led to authorities, communities and individuals becoming increasingly dependent on outer space. In the coming decades, space will be less a matter of exploration and scientific conquest than of domination and supremacy. Besides a specific policy, the European space sector needs a strategy capable of ensuring its autonomous access to space in the long term. As a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) with a leading-edge and niche aerospace industry, Belgium deserves a seat at the table in the debates on the means to achieve this objective.
In the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the fierce competition in the launch market, how can the EU ensure its strategic autonomy in the space sector? What is Belgium’s position in this respect within the European Union in general, and in the scientific and industrial fabric in particular? What are the major challenges of the militarisation of space and the role of the Belgian Defence in space security at national and international level?
In order to answer these questions, we will have the pleasure of welcoming Mr Thomas Dermine, state secretary for Economic Recovery and Strategic Investments, in charge of Science Policy; Dr Octávia Portugal Frota, consultant on aerospace, security and defence matters for the EU, NATO and the European Defence Agency (EDA); as well as Air Force Major Nicolas Gérôme, head of the Space office within the Belgian Defence’s Strategy department, who will share their analyses on the European space sector and Belgium’s position in this field.
Research lines: Threats, challenges and strategic responses ; Defence capabilities and technologies ; Belgium ; Europe
Source image: ESA – © Manuel Pedoussaut
Evening conference
Belgium, Europe and Strategic Autonomy
in Space
Conference videos:
Air Force Major Nicolas GÉRÔME
Mr Thomas DERMINE
Dr Octávia PORTUGAL FROTA
Moderator: Estelle HOORICKX
Languages: French and English
Simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Dutch
16 February 2023, 17:00 – 18:45
> 16:30 – Registration
> 17:00 – Conference
> 18:45 – Reception
Campus Renaissance
Rue Hobbema, 8
1000 Brussels