Lower Austria aims at the stars: space research in the upswing!

Lower Austria aims at the stars: space research in the upswing!

Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, 1300 Wien, Österreich - On July 19, 2025, space travel in Lower Austria is focused on, since the international day of space research on July 20 is reminiscent of the historical first moon landing from 1969. This day is a symbol of scientific curiosity, technical innovation and a global view of the developments in space. In this context, the dynamic growth industry of space travel in the state is emphasized, as Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner underlines. It sees great potential in the current and future developments in space technology, which are important not only for science, but also for the economy.

An important milestone for Lower Austria was the opening of the ESA Phi-Lab at the Vienna-Schwechat Airport a year ago. This innovation center, which is part of a Europe-wide network, represents a strong commitment to the European Space Organization (ESA) and serves as an incentive to actively shape the European space travel. The deputy governor Stephan Pernkopf emphasizes the far -reaching positive impulses that come from this laboratory and emphasizes the five highly innovative projects that have already started, four of which were initiated in Lower Austria and are funded with a total of 2.5 million euros.

research and development in space

Lower Austria has an active space community that consists of various institutions such as Fotec and the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt. These networks combine research, technology development and entrepreneurship. Various infrastructure projects are planned as part of the "Mission Lower Austria", including a maker space and a co-working area in Wiener Neustadt. All of these initiatives are the aim of promoting promising industries and positioning the Lower Austria location as a European innovation leader in the scientific and economic sector.

The space market is one of the fastest growing markets worldwide. In this context, the ESA Phi-Lab Austria plays an important role because it is the first of eleven such facilities in Europe. Above all, it promotes the commercialization of upstream technologies, with a special focus on the industrialization of hardware and software for rockets, space vehicles and satellites. The offer of the Phi-Labs includes seed finds, free coworking space and access to a network of industrial and research partners. Companies, startups and research institutions are invited to submit innovative ideas by August 18, 2024.

strengthening European cooperation

To promote the European Space Sector, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the ESA recently signed a cooperation agreement. This partnership should benefit small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and start-ups. It aims at improving access to financing and promoting innovation and exchange of knowledge. According to Timo Pesonen, the General Director of the GD Defi, access to financing is crucial for the success of European space companies. Kris Peeters from EIB and Josef Aschbacher from the ESA confirm that this agreement is a milestone for cooperation in the European space sector.

Overall, the current developments in Lower Austria and beyond show how important space travel as a motor for added value, high -quality jobs and security is. For example, the Wiener Neustadt University of Applied Sciences already offers training in Aerospace Engineering, while students are working on the development of satellites. The region has a long tradition in aviation as well as a promising future in space travel, reports OTS to grow in this dynamic sector.

Further information can be found on the websites of Stadtlandzeitung and EIB