Resilience from Space

Space-based applications have become an integral part of our everyday lives – whether in navigation, communication, Earth observation or transport and infrastructure management. Space-based services have long been an integral part of economic, social and governmental processes. For example, they make a decisive contribution to the smooth operation of agricultural systems and electricity and transport networks, enable more accurate weather forecasts and ensure the synchronisation of digital infrastructures.

At the same time, the military use of space is also steadily increasing. Orbit is becoming a confrontational arena for the major powers – or, as the war in Ukraine has shown, a theatre of direct military action with tangible effects that extend into the civilian sphere

With the increasing use of space-based technologies, dependencies are also growing – and with them, vulnerabilities. One thing is certain: space is no longer just a field of research, but a security-relevant area of strategic importance. Accordingly, the resilience of the associated applications is also becoming increasingly important.

The 26th SSF Security Talk is therefore dedicated to this complex and highly topical issue. The focus is on the following questions:

• How dependent are our civil and military infrastructures in Switzerland on space?

  – and what happens if they fail?

• What geopolitical and security dependencies does Europe have in space?

  – and how vulnerable are our satellite infrastructures?

• How do conflicts on Earth affect security in space?

  – and what are the risks of a military exchange in orbit for Earth?

• How are commercial and dual-use space systems changing the dynamics of modern conflicts?

  – and what does this mean for Switzerland as a neutral country?

• What concrete steps must Switzerland/Europe take to strengthen its resilience in space – technologically, strategically and institutionally?

We are delighted to welcome the following renowned experts to the event:

• Major General Michael Traut, Commander of the German Armed Forces Space Command

• Oberst i Gst Ludovic Monnerat, Commander, Space Competence Centre, Swiss Armed Forces 

• Renato Krpoun, Head of Space Division, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

• Franz Posch, Managing Director, Airbus Defence and Space Switzerland

• Didier Manzoni, Deputy CEO & General Manager Space, APCO Technologies SA

  
  

We cordially invite you to join experts from politics, administration, security authorities and business to discuss our dependence on space and the challenges this presents.