The European space sector in a context of international competition
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Find out more about our donor programsThe access to space sector is no longer limited to the historic pioneers of the space adventure nor to the sole states. Exploration projects stimulate imagination and national narratives and trigger important investments in ambitious innovative projects.
The digital transition implies an increased recourse to solutions based in space, and connectivity constitutes a major challenge for the competitiveness of our industry and services as well as the development of data storage capacities.
In this rapidly changing context the European Union is confronted to a triple challenge: to be successful with digital transformation can Europe afford to neglect the space dimension? What kind of adaptation is necessary to its model? In how far is it necessary to adjust its governance to meet its aims?
Opening (10h00-10h30)
Thomas Gomart, Director of the Ifri
Hans-Dieter Lucas, Ambassador of Germany in Paris
Teresa Castaldo, Ambassador of Italy in Paris
Session 1: Main challenges of the international space competition (10h30-11h30)
Based on the work realized during the first phase of the initiative, this session aims at debating about the transformation of the international space industry, against the backdrop of digitization, the emergence of New Space in the United States, the rise of China as a fully-fledged space actor and questions relating to the evolutions of the Russian space sector.
Moderation: Eric-André Martin, Coordinator of the European Space Governance Initiative, Ifri
Participants:
Marc Julienne, Fellow researcher, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
Florian Vidal, Fellow researcher, Centre for Russia / NIS, Ifri
Torben Schütz, Fellow researcher, DGAP
Q&A
Session 2: Lessons learnt for the European space model (11h40-12h40)
This session aims at debating the consequences for the European Union of a tough international competition. Can the EU afford to stay aside debates about connectivity without putting at risk the success of its digital transition and the credibility of its ambitions as regards digital sovereignty? Which adjustments to its economic model are needed?
Moderation: Jean-François Bureau, President, IO Conseil
Participants:
Jean-Pierre Darnis, Fellow researcher, Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI)
Olivier Lemaître, Director ASD-Eurospace
Augusto Gonzalez Counselor for international affairs and economic diplomacy, DG DEFIS
Géraldine Naja, Head of Industrial Policy and Audit Department, European Space Agency
Q&A
Closing: Eric-André Martin, Coordinator of the European Space Governance Initiative, Ifri
Webinar organized by the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) with the support of the Embassies of Germany and Italy to France.
This event will be held via Zoom, will be broadcasted in French and English and translated simultaneously.
Upon invitation only.
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