3rd European Space Ecosystem Integration Summit held in ESRIN

The Slovak Space Office – Industry Branch, operating within the SARIO agency, organized the third annual European Space Ecosystem Integration Summit (ESEIS) in collaboration with the leading European space industry association, ASD-Eurospace. For the first time, the Summit was held at the European Space Agency’s site in Frascati (ESRIN), close to the Italian capital of Rome. The initiative aims to identify new collaboration opportunities and more effectively integrate the new space ecosystem into the supply chains of major European industry players. 

The meeting was attended by approximately three dozen participants, representatives of leading space companies and emerging space ecosystems of Europe. This year, the Summit was also joined by observers from the European Space Agency, EURISY, EARSC (European Association of Remote Sensing Companies), and YEESS (Young European Enterprises Syndicate).

The discussion traditionally centered around new collaboration opportunities and challenges that companies and emerging space ecosystems meet and have to deal with. Participants presented their current industrial and research & development capacities to outline prospective areas and projects that create opportunities for new partnerships. The Summit also discussed challenges in the market structure and institutional setting of the sector, including issues of talent support and workforce development, financial and market barriers for growth, topics of political and public engagement, or integration and collaboration gaps. 

“ESEIS is here to generate added value for the whole European space, helping us use our full potential, contributing to our strength and competitiveness. Because only by efficiently using all of its tech, talent, and investment potential can European space be truly competitive” presented the motivation behind organizing the summit Michal Brichta, Director of Slovak Space Office – Industry Branch.

“There is today a clear challenge in front of us: if not all components and capabilities that can be offered on our continent are not optimally mobilised, Europe will remain dependent from other countries and fail to keep up with the progresses made outside of the continent. In this regard, in addition to the long-term expertise of established space industries, emerging space countries offer potential for growth that cannot be underestimated” declared Olivier Lemaitre, Secretary General at ASD-Eurospace.

Entering the multibillion-euro space business is exceptionally challenging for new firms and countries in the sector. Thanks to the success of the first three editions, ESEIS has established itself as the key platform supporting this entry process, making the European space ecosystem better integrated and more cohesive.