The third edition of the Space Congress, held in Madrid on 19 and 20 May 2026 under the theme “One Country, One Space”, confirmed the maturity and ambition that now define Spain’s space sector. Organised by TEDAE in collaboration with the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), the event has established itself as the country’s leading forum for analysing capabilities, challenges and opportunities in an environment shaped by growing global competition and the need for strategic autonomy.
According to Juan Carlos Cortés, Director of the Spanish Space Agency, “Europe must achieve strategic autonomy in space, and this can only be accomplished through investment, capability development and, ultimately, programmes. We are a space giant: we have spent twenty years operating in LEO, landed on a comet and on Titan, launched probes to Mercury, and developed some of the world’s most advanced Earth observation and navigation systems.
We have the foundations in place, but decisive action is now required—both at the September Summit of European Leaders, where future strategies will be discussed, and at ESA’s Intermediate Ministerial Conference in December, where concrete proposals will be advanced.”
Cortés also stressed that, despite common perceptions, Europe is not fragmented. “There is a Community-level pillar focused on integrating space activities and an intergovernmental pillar focused on coordination. Both approaches are fully compatible.” He further emphasised the importance of ensuring that national space initiatives are coordinated, interoperable and capable of maximising the benefits generated by Europe’s institutional investment.
From Institutional Consolidation to Strategic Momentum
The context leading up to the Congress helps explain the sector’s remarkable progress. In recent years, Spain has strengthened its position through the creation of the Spanish Space Agency and a sustained increase in investment in European programmes, particularly following ESA’s latest Ministerial Council.
“Space is a national policy,” stated Diana Morant, Spain’s Minister of Science and Universities. “We have made a record contribution to ESA. Space used to be an exclusive club made up of only a handful of countries. Today, a new reality has emerged, bringing new risks as a powerful community of private actors enters the field. Europe offers a different vision: space in the service of the common good. That is why technological sovereignty is essential.”
We have made a record contribution to ESA. Space used to be an exclusive club made up of only a handful of countries”
This commitment has translated into an unprecedented increase in Spain’s contribution to the European Space Agency, which will average €455 million annually between 2026 and 2030, representing an increase of more than 50% compared with the previous cycle and more than three times the level recorded in 2017. This investment effort has significantly increased industrial returns and strengthened an increasingly competitive ecosystem with greater capacity to participate in—and lead—strategic European programmes.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher highlighted how “Spain has become an increasingly important pillar of the European space ecosystem, thanks to the combination of strong institutional commitment, a dynamic industrial base and growing ambitions in key areas ranging from Earth observation to secure connectivity and exploration.”
He also welcomed the close cooperation between ESA and Spain in translating this ambition into concrete programmes and capabilities, reinforcing Europe’s space leadership for the benefit of citizens, economic growth and long-term resilience. A clear example of this cooperation is the Memorandum of Intent signed by ESA and the AEE during the Congress to strengthen collaboration in secure satellite connectivity. The agreement includes the creation of an integrated project team dedicated to IRIS² activities in Spain, with particular focus on ESA’s role within the programme’s Low-LEO layer.
The sector’s growth is equally reflected in its economic performance. Revenue reached €1.293 billion in 2024, with forecasts pointing towards €1.5 billion in the coming years, maintaining annual growth rates close to 15%. This dynamism reflects not only economic expansion but also the transformation of space into a critical infrastructure with direct impact on the economy, security, telecommunications and defence. As Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, noted:
“We now have a tremendous opportunity to continue strengthening a sector characterised by innovation, export capacity and highly qualified employment. It is a sector that generates productivity, knowledge and strategic autonomy for both Spain and Europe.”
A congress defined by strategic vision
Over the course of two days, the Congress brought together institutional representatives, industry leaders, research centres and European organisations to discuss the present and future of the space sector. The event highlighted the growing capability of the Spanish ecosystem to cover the entire value chain, evolving towards integrated end-to-end models capable of delivering complete services based on space-derived data and applications.
One of the key messages was the need to strengthen European strategic autonomy in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Lorena Boix, Deputy Director-General at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, stated:
«The EU’s Current and Future Space Program»
“A great deal is happening in Spain’s space sector, and while that is good for Spain, it is also fundamental for Europe. Space is no longer the final frontier—it has become the first line of defence. Greater dialogue with the defence community is therefore essential; we can no longer view space solely through a scientific lens.”
Over two days, the Congress brought together institutional representatives, industry leaders, research centres and European organisations to debate the present and future of the sector”
Regarding the European Space Shield initiative, Boix clarified that it is “not another programme, but rather a strategy aimed at optimising existing and future space assets. This involves assessing available capabilities, identifying future needs, ensuring interoperability and defining the most effective governance framework.”
Within this context, several technological priorities emerged:
- Security and technological sovereignty, with a focus on space encryption, post-quantum cryptography, crypto-agility, and the protection of data and communications.
Autonomous access to space through the development of national launch capabilities.
Multi-orbit resilience and supply chain strengthening.
Consolidation of national strengths in communications, navigation (PNT) and Earth observation.
Support for flagship European programmes such as Galileo, Copernicus, IRIS²—expected to become operational around 2028—and GOVSATCOM.
Together, these priorities reflect a model in which space is no longer viewed solely as a technological domain, but as a central pillar of industrial competitiveness and sovereignty.
At the same time, Congress sessions explored several structural challenges facing the sector, including European industrial fragmentation, the need for stronger coordination between large corporations, SMEs and public administrations, and the importance of continuing to develop the highly skilled talent required by the industry.
From Institutional Consolidation to Strategic Momentum
The relationship between space and defence was another major theme of the Congress. Space is increasingly recognised as the fifth operational domain, essential for ensuring security, protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining technological superiority.
In this context, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that, later this year, the Ministries of Defence and Industry will launch a Special Modernisation Programme to support Spain’s participation in IRIS2. According to Sánchez, the programme will provide Spain with sovereign satellite capabilities, nationwide coverage and secure communications for deployments of strategic interest to national defence.
He also underlined that the initiative represents “a major opportunity for the development and consolidation of Spain’s industrial value chain, both in satellite manufacturing and in the associated ground segment.”
Spain at a Turning Point
The conclusions of the Congress point to a clear reality: Spain is entering a decisive phase in its space development. This progress is supported by a strong industrial and scientific base, as well as a growing capacity to lead complete end-to-end projects. The challenge now is to consolidate this position through sustained and more effective investment in R&D, focused on delivering results and creating competitive advantages.
Deepening collaboration between science, industry and public administrations will also be essential to accelerate the transformation of knowledge into operational capabilities.
The speed of technological development—combined with a willingness to embrace calculated risks—will become a defining factor in an increasingly competitive environment.
The year 2028 is emerging as a critical milestone, coinciding with the definition of the next European financial framework and the deployment of major strategic programmes. Arriving at that moment with mature projects and consolidated capabilities will be essential to strengthening Spain’s position over the coming decade.
In a market that increasingly demands resilience, secure connectivity and autonomy, the Space Congress 2026 delivered a clear message: the Spanish space sector is moving in the right direction. Spain possesses the capabilities, talent and ambition required to play a leading role in shaping the future of European space.
The year 2028 is emerging as a turning point, coinciding with the definition of Europe’s next financial framework and the deployment of major strategic programmes”
