Budapest, 21 November 2024
A large-scale international professional conference titled EU Space Days was hosted by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics on 20-21 November 2024.
The event served as the primary forum for experts and companies involved in the European Union’s space research and industry programs. More than 300 professionals from 13 countries, including leading specialists and companies in space research and industry, had registered for the two-day event held as part of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, to share their thoughts on the latest trends in space technology and innovation. The goal of the EU Space Days 2024 was to present the latest achievements in space technology, strengthen international cooperation, and emphasize the importance of innovation in European space research and industry. This made the conference an important milestone not only for Hungary but for all of Europe.
The event was focused on the space programs of the European Union, and especially the Galileo, Copernicus and IRIS² programs which shape the future of space research and also play a key role in Europe’s green transition and digital development. The participants were welcomed by Rodrigo da Costa, executive director of the European Union Space Program Agency, Guillaume de la Brosse, head of the European Commission’s Space Policy Unit, and Charaf Hassan, Rector of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, who addressed and emphasised key security and defence priorities, as well as the issue of sustainability.
Richárd Szabados, State Secretary of the Ministry for National Economy responsible for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and technology, emphasized the government’s commitment to the development of supplier capabilities in the space industry, and noted the importance of international partnerships.
Hungary is convinced that, through cooperation, we can achieve significant results in the space industry, a crisis-resistant sector that already provides high-value-added work for over 230,000 people in Europe alone. Experts estimate that the space economy will be worth approximately 1 trillion US dollars in 2040, so neither Europe nor Hungary may be left out. The EU Space Days also prove that we can become a major player not only in Europe but also globally through common goals, innovation, and strengthened international relations.
Richárd Szabados, State Secretary for SME Development and Technology
The following priorities of the EU and the ESA (the European Space Agency) were also discussed during the conference: increasing competitiveness, sustainability, and support for new research programs such as Horizon Europe and CASSINI. The discussions contributed to improving international relations and addressing the challenges facing the space industry, such as the problem of space junk, a topic in which Hungarian companies are actively involved through the ESA’s programs. The speakers emphasized the importance of close cooperation with the European Space Agency and the European Union’s Space Program Agency, as well as the role of Hungarian companies in the international value chain.
Hungary’s latest achievements were presented which further strengthen our country’s international position. Concerning education, 17 Hungarian universities collaborate to expand space science training in the UniSpace programme, in order to ensure the supply of professionals and strengthen international knowledge transfer. In addition, the establishment of a national space agency is an important goal of Hungary’s government, in order to effectively support the international presence of domestic players in this rapidly developing field.
“Hungary has achieved outstanding results in the areas of space research and technology in recent years,” said Szabolcs Szolnoki, Deputy State Secretary responsible for technology. “The establishment of Hungary’s first space technology design and production center and the HUNOR research astronaut mission clearly demonstrate Hungary’s aspiration for a leading role in the international ecosystem.”
The Copernicus Earth Art Exhibition was opened as part of the event. The visitors can view the landscapes of Hungary and the world from a new perspective, from space. The exhibition can be visited free of charge until December 13 at the Lágymányosi Campus of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
Source – Hungarian EU Presidency