At the Space Tech Expo Europe, industry representatives emphasize the great opportunities for the space industry. There are expressions of sympathy for Musk’s company SpaceX.
Leading representatives of the European space industry have been largely positive about the state of the industry. “The space industry is doing well, very well,” said the CEO of satellite manufacturer OHB, Marco Fuchs, at the Space Tech Expo Europe trade fair in Bremen. There are many new competitors. The entire industry is changing, said Fuchs.
We are in a rapidly growing market with new opportunities and new companies, said the Germany boss of the rocket manufacturer ArianeGroup, Pierre Godart. Marc Steckling, head of Airbus Defense and Space in Bremen, said there were problems with price increases and supply chains. But in almost 30 years he has never seen that there were so many opportunities for companies. Among other things, he referred to the planned European satellite constellation Iris2.
The largest trade fair of its kind in Europe
According to information, more than 650 exhibitors will be represented at the Space Tech Expo Europe, which will last several days, and more than 6,200 trade visitors are expected. In addition to the industry giants, start-ups such as Rocket Factory Augsburg and HyImpulse, which work on small rockets, so-called microlaunchers, are also represented. The organizer, the British company Smarter Shows, describes the trade fair as the largest of its kind in Europe.
An important topic is the recent space summit of the European Space Agency (Esa). At the beginning of the month, representatives of the 22 ESA countries met in Seville, Spain. One result: There should be more competition than before in the development of new launch vehicles.
Walther Pelzer, board member of the German Aerospace Center, spoke of a paradigm shift on Tuesday. They worked for this. Europe is in a launch vehicle crisis, Pelzer said. The Vega C and the larger Ariane 6 are not yet ready for use. The fact that competition should be promoted more than before is an important result of Seville, said Bremen’s Senator for Economic Affairs Kristina Vogt (Left) at the opening of the trade fair.
Why isn’t SpaceX at the trade fair?
The topic of conversation at the show was the so-called Geo-Return. Funds from governments to Esa flow proportionally back into donor countries. “I personally believe in Geo-Return,” Steckling said. The return allows countries to specifically strengthen the space sector. One disadvantage is that companies have to be selected for contracts that do not always meet the highest standards. Like other business representatives, Steckling spoke out in favor of an adjustment.
SpaceX, the US space company owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, was also discussed at the trade fair. People asked why SpaceX wasn’t at the trade fair. “I would love to have her here,” Godart said.
Source: Stern
