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Technical University of Munich

Space - Relevant key aspects and topics of the future

The increasing dependence of many industries (transport, healthcare, telecommunications, agriculture, banking, etc.) on space assets and services for their own functioning emphasises the importance of space for the competitive advantage of these sectors and the economic vitality of Bavaria, Germany and Europe. The European Green Deal and national and regional goals for a greener economy depend on Europe's success in space through Earth observation, weather forecasting, telecommunications, Galileo, derived space services and space transport activities. Europe's autonomous access to space and its autonomy of action in space are of key importance.

In addition to growing international competition and the complex geopolitical landscape, some of the most important issues and challenges facing space in Germany and Europe are the following:

  • the integration of space data, knowledge and infrastructure into the development and competitiveness of other sectors and public benefits, services and decisions. Integrated space systems and digital transformation: new services that are essential for ensuring the digital resilience of our economy and society, e.g. in the area of space weather. Integration of space and terrestrial systems for all purposes related to communication, positioning and navigation as well as situation analysis on Earth and technological developments to ensure sustainability, e.g. in autonomous supply chains (logistics, energy, etc.)
  • the development of an intra-European institutional market on which a commercial market can be built
  • developing an agile (‘generational’) approach to new space infrastructures based on faster innovation cycles
  • Safety, security and strategic autonomy: autonomy in space, including operational autonomy, fleet management capabilities and concepts, interoperability and integration of systems in different orbits/altitudes and communication between these systems
  • technologies and services working towards real-time Earth observation
  • economic access to space, which urgently needs a competitive, innovative industry and also a sustainable business model
  • technical solutions for sustainable mobility in space, including the increasing amount of space debris
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