Five highlights from EU Space Days 2025

A journey through the EU Space Programme

The largest and most ambitious exhibition ever put together for EU Space Days provided participants with a unique walk-through experience of the EU Space Programme. As they moved through the vibrant, immersive space, visitors were able to explore the different components of the Programme, including Copernicus, Galileo, EGNOS, IRIS², and SSA. The exhibition combined bold visual design with physical models and interactive installations, including a 1:20 scale model of Ariane 6, models of the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites, a VR Galileo experience, as well as a collection of stunning Copernicus Earth Observation images.

Spotlight on innovation and emerging talent at the Agora stage

The Agora stage brought fresh energy to EU Space Days 2025, offering a more intimate and interactive setting for exchanging information and exploring new directions in the EU space ecosystem. The innovative silent conference format allowed the Agora sessions to run side-by-side with the main stage, as participants could tune in via the provided headsets without distraction.

From thought-provoking presentations on sustainability and diversity in the space sector to pitch sessions and presentations of student-led initiatives, the Agora featured a broad mix of content and contributors. Some of the most memorable moments came from student organisations, including presentations by Poland’s Student Council to the President of the Polish Space Agency and student teams from Gdańsk University of Technology’s SimLE student organisation, showing how young talent is already shaping the future of space.

Sessions on Horizon Europe projects and CASSINI Matchmaking pitch events added further depth, showcasing how EU funding and support mechanisms are helping research teams and startups move from concept to commercial reality. Vera Pinto from the European Commission also gave a dedicated presentation on the DIVERIS initiative, the EU’s space and defence industry diversity and inclusion network, which is working to ensure the sector reflects the full range of talent across Europe.

With its open layout, diverse programming, and novel format, the Agora stage helped to spotlight emerging voices and fresh ideas in the European space sector.

The European Commission, EUSPA, and ESA together on one stage

EU Space Days 2025 provided an important moment for collaboration and exchange between the European Commission, EUSPA, and ESA. All three institutions played central roles in shaping the programme and the exhibition, reflecting shared priorities and a cohesive approach to the progress of the European space sector.

The event opened with remarks from Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, and POLSA President Marta Ewa Wachowicz. These high-level interventions set the tone for what followed: a well-balanced and cooperative programme which reflected the complementary strengths of the European Commission, EUSPA, and ESA. Across the agenda, all three institutions contributed substantively to discussions ranging from strategic policy and space defence to entrepreneurship, innovation, and education. Their presence was felt not only on stage but throughout the exhibition space, where institutional, commercial, and national priorities converged.

EU Space for defence and defence for space

In today’s geopolitical climate, the security dimension of space has become harder to ignore. Throughout EU Space Days 2025, the strategic dimension of the EU Space Programme was a consistent theme, reflecting how space-based assets and services are increasingly seen as essential to crisis response, operational autonomy, and long-term resilience.

A dedicated session on EU Space for Defence and Defence for Space underscored how EU space assets, including Galileo PRS, Copernicus, GOVSATCOM, and IRIS², already support surveillance, disaster response, and secure communications, with real-world applications ranging from border monitoring to emergency and crisis response. But the message was clear, these capabilities must be reinforced. Speakers called for further investment in dual-use technologies, responsive launch capacities, multi-orbit systems, and independent situational awareness.

The integration of defence perspectives across the two-day event marked a clear shift. Europe is not only using space for defence but also defending its ability to operate in space.

Investing in Europe’s space future

Another key takeaway from this year’s edition was the clear focus on fostering entrepreneurship and investment. With sessions like the CASSINI Matchmaking and Horizon Europe panels, participants gained valuable insight into how Europe is creating new pathways for startups, researchers, and industry actors to turn ideas into impact across both the upstream and downstream sectors. The presence of investors, accelerators, and programme managers underscored the growing maturity of Europe’s space innovation ecosystem and the importance of sustained public-private collaboration.

HADEA continues to play a central role in managing Horizon Europe funding for the space sector under Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space. At EU Space Days 2025, this was reflected in sessions highlighting past successes and ongoing projects supported through Horizon Europe, including those aimed at Copernicus service evolution. The newly opened call HORIZON-CL4-2025-02 includes over 20 topics supporting research and innovation across the EU space value chain. You can read more in article on the call.

If you missed the event, the full two days of both Main stage and Agora stage sessions are available on YouTube.