Europe has been discussing its shortcomings in digitization and artificial intelligence for years. But there is another field in which our continent has fallen behind: space.

By Jan Nintemann and Jochen Siegle; Photo: SpaceX via Unsplash

The ESA’s technology chief, Leopold Summerer, warned emphatically in Vienna last week: “We cannot be sovereign in Europe without space capabilities. And we cannot have a competitive economy without space.”

This statement makes it clear that this is not just about satellites or rocket launches – but about Europe’s economic strength, digital independence, and geopolitical security.

Why Space is Crucial for Europe

Sovereignty: Military communication, financial markets, and even our daily navigation depend on satellite systems. Dependence on US or Chinese services makes Europe vulnerable.

Innovation & Economy: While US players like SpaceX or China are making huge strides, European start-ups and suppliers are struggling with fragmented markets and high costs.

Future Resources: The race for the moon, Mars, and raw materials in space has long begun. Without a common European strategy, Europe risks being left behind.

Invitation to the TIE Trade Fair 2026 in Brussels

The organizers of the TransformIT Europe Expo & Conference are convinced: Only if Europe thinks of digitization, AI, and space together can we secure our sovereignty and drive innovation.

That’s why we invite all relevant European space specialists, start-ups, companies, institutions, and political decision-makers to the TIE Trade Fair in Brussels in May 2026.

There we want to:

• network: bring together the right people and organizations
• forge alliances: initiate joint projects and collaborations
• develop strategies: a strong, coordinated European roadmap for space.
• Europe has the talent, the technology, and the know-how. Now it only needs one thing: the courage to act together.

👉 Be there and help shape the future of Europe – at the TransformIT Europe Trade Fair 2026 in Brussels.