By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Space Debate Europe 2026 has
opened in Madrid, bringing together policymakers, space-sector leaders,
parliamentarians and academics to discuss Europe’s space ambitions and the
evolving role of the sector.
The first day opened with a
welcome address from Spain’s Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant
Ripoll, followed by keynote addresses from European Space Agency (ESA) Director
General Josef Aschbacher, Director of the Spanish Space Agency and Chair of the
ESA Council Juan Carlos Cortés, and Director of the European Space Policy
Institute (ESPI), H. Ludwig Moeller.
The programme continued with
a policy track that brought together voices from national parliaments, the ESA
and academia to examine key issues shaping Europe’s space policy and ambitions.
The policy discussions
included a fireside chat with Andreu Martin Martinez, Member of Parliament for
Spain and Co-Chair of the 2026 Spanish Presidency of the European
Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC).
The programme also featured
a fireside chat with Josep Borrell, former EU High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy, adding a broader foreign policy perspective to
discussions around Europe’s space ambitions.
The event then moved into a
host country track examining Spain’s contribution to the wider European space
ambition and its role within the continent’s space ecosystem.
The first day concluded with
an evening debate focused on the growing role of digital giants in space,
reflecting the increasing involvement of major technology companies in the
sector and the changing dynamics of Europe’s space landscape.
ESPI said it looks forward
to continuing the discussions on the second day of Space Debate Europe 2026 in
Madrid.
