Space Commercialisation and Business Opportunities
From April 7th to 8th, 2025, the EU*Asia Institute hosted the 17th edition of its Space Policy Workshop at ESSCA School of Management’s Bordeaux campus and online.
This year’s workshop was convened by Antonella Forganni from the Space Policy Research Group at the EU*Asia Institute and brought together scholars and experts from across Europe and beyond. The discussions explored the commercial, strategic, legal, and ethical dimensions of the rapidly evolving space sector.
The workshop opened on April 7th with introductory remarks by Thomas Hoerber and Antonella Forganni.
Space Commercialization: Global and Regional Development
The first panel, chaired by Kehinde Abolarin, addressed global and regional developments in space commercialisation. The panelists examined themes such as the emergence of a private space surveillance market, regional dynamics within the EU space sector, and the strategic positioning of European multinationals in the global space economy.
The speakers included:
- Maria Vittoria Prest – Sapienza University of Rome
- Benjamin Stehl – Goethe University Frankfurt
- Lorna Ryan – ESSCA, EU*Asia Institute and City St George’s, University of London
- Anna Dimitrova – ESSCA, EU*Asia Institute & Magdalena Teissendier – Toulouse Business School Education
Legal and Economic Frameworks for Space Policy
The second panel, chaired by Antonella Forganni, focused on the legal and economic frameworks necessary for supporting commercial activities in space. Discussions included proposals for a new international space treaty, competitiveness in EU space law, and the return on investment in the space sector.
The speakers included:
- Evangelia Psychogiopoulou – University of the Peloponnese
- Gerard Conway & Peter Jelfs – Brunel University of London
- Scott Steele – Anglia Ruskin University
- Giulia Cambone – European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)
Book Presentation on ‘Routledge Handbook of Space Policy’
A key highlight of the day was the presentation of the forthcoming Routledge Handbook of Space Policy, introduced by two of its editors, Thomas Hoerber and Antonella Forganni. The presentation offered insight into the book’s interdisciplinary approach and its contribution to the future of space policy scholarship.
Ethical and Strategic Dimensions of Space Exploration
On April 8th, the workshop resumed with a panel on the ethical and strategic dimensions of space exploration, chaired by Lorna Ryan. Topics included European lunar ambitions and the strategic importance of next-generation telecommunications systems like 5G, 6G, and NTNs (non-terrestrial networks).
The speakers included:
- Pieter van Nes – ESSCA, EU*Asia Institute
- Andrew Thomas – ESSCA, EU*Asia Institute
Economic Impact of the Space Sector
The final panel, chaired by Thomas Hoerber, examined the broader economic impact of the space sector. Presentations explored entrepreneurship within the EU space programme, capacity building in emerging economies, and regional space developments from Iceland to Nigeria.
The speakers included:
- Avi Blasberger & Deganit Paikowsky – Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Alice Pia Chinè – Università degli Studi di Trento
- Kehinde Abolarin – Liverpool John Moores University
- Magnus Skjöld – Bifröst University
Conclusions and Continuity: Next Steps for Research and Policy
The event concluded with a discussion led by Thomas Hoerber and Antonella Forganni, highlighting the key insights from the two days and reflecting on how future research and policy initiatives can help shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and economically viable space sector. As a major outcome of the workshop, participants also initiated plans for a collective publication. A book proposal, to be edited by Gerard Conway and Peter Jelfs, will be submitted to the Routledge Space Policy series, under the editorship of Thomas Hoerber, ensuring the continuation of this important dialogue through a dedicated research volume.
The workshop’s central message was that the future of space is not only commercial but must also be collaborative, ethical, and inclusive, guided by thoughtful policy and research.
Date: Monday 7 - Tuesday 8 April 2025
Convener: Antonella Forganni - Space Policy Research Group - EU*Asia Institute at ESSCA School of Management
Venue: ESSCA Bordeaux (5 place d'Armes, Bordeaux) & online via TEAMS
