Over the past 20 years, the increasing privatization of space travel has created a new and dynamic market. Both traditional companies and startups are driving technical innovations and developing new business models for the “New Space.” Many representatives from the emerging industry attended the New Space Acceleration Days, an event organized by Fraunhofer IPM in collaboration with Fraunhofer EMI, Fraunhofer IPA, Fraunhofer FKIE, Fraunhofer IML, and Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE, among others.

Representatives from well-established aerospace companies, such as Tesat-Spacecom and the long-standing gear manufacturer Wittenstein SE, as well as Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG, explained that the cost of accessing space is falling rapidly. During their keynote presentations, they described how Europe can leverage its industrial strength in space by promoting industrialization, networking, a coordinated roadmap, standardization, and cross-industry learning – for instance, by drawing from automotive, logistics, and manufacturing processes. In a panel discussion, representatives from the European Space Agency (ESA), the German Space Agency at DLR, the EU CASSINI initiative, and the venture capital firm Acitoflux discussed the political and economic conditions necessary for a successful investment and how to advance the European space industry. Startup companies such as ConstellR, OroraTech, and LEOspace showed their New Space business models. Fraunhofer researchers presented on the scalable production of space components, logistics, test infrastructure, and resilient supply chains.

“The New Space sector offers enormous economic opportunities,” said Prof. Dr. Karsten Buse, director of Fraunhofer IPM, in his welcoming speech. “Fraunhofer will seize these opportunities together with the industry.” Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE, an association of 37 Fraunhofer institutes specializing in aerospace, is planning the next New Space Acceleration Days within the coming six to twelve months.