With geopolitical tensions escalating, defense budgets rising, and hybrid threats becoming the new normal, nations worldwide are turning their focus to space.
But why space?
Space is no longer just about flying to Mars or exploring distant galaxies. It is now at the heart of our ability to secure critical infrastructure, respond to crises, and protect democratic values. Access to satellite data enables us to detect and react to natural disasters, infrastructure sabotage, and military threats. And in modern warfare, space is a battlefield, where communication, positioning, and intelligence all rely on orbital systems.
From monitoring floods and wildfires to enabling secure communication and navigation, space technology is a silent enabler of European resilience.
Space enables…
- Real-time monitoring of wildfires, floods, and food security risks
- Strategic autonomy through secure satellite communication and navigation
- Smarter energy, transport, and infrastructure via Earth observation and GNSS
- AI-powered solutions across sectors; from agriculture to mobility to defense
Yet in a shifting geopolitical landscape, Europe cannot afford to fall behind. Our sovereignty depends on reducing reliance on non-EU systems and investing in homegrown capabilities – in Earth observation, secure connectivity, and defense technologies.
Despite growing recognition of space as critical infrastructure, Europe still lags behind in:
- Limited independent launch capability
- Delays in secure and sovereign communication systems
- Insufficient real-time monitoring and intelligence capacity
- Rising cyber threats to space assets
- Lack of coordination in space traffic and debris management
- Underutilized dual-use innovation from startups
It’s time we recognize space as essential infrastructure, not just a high-tech sector, but a foundation for European security, economic continuity, and crisis response.
At ESA BIC Sweden, operated by Ideon, UIC, ABI and Innovatum, we support early-stage startups that leverage space, both upstream (hardware, launch, satellite components) or downstream (AI, Earth observation, connectivity, and security).
Want to be part of building Europe’s resilience through space innovation?
Get in touch and make space your business.
leonie.blum@ideonsciencepark.se
Project Manager
