Sponsors
Switch to Space would not be possible without support of the sponsors. On behalf of our team and the participants we want to thank you!
Gold sponsors
The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)
EUMETSAT is an intergovernmental organisation and was founded in 1986. Our purpose is to supply weather and climate-related satellite data, images and products – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – to the National Meteorological Services of our Member States in Europe, and other users worldwide.
With more than a century of experience, OIP is a leader in the field of design, development & production of electro-optical systems for Defence, Space, Homeland Security and High-end Industrial markets, serving a variety of different applications.
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Aerospacelab is a Belgian "new space" scale-up founded in 2018. The company's vision is to enhance efficiency across markets by making geospatial intelligence both actionable and affordable. Aerospacelab designs and manufactures microsatellites, operates constellations of satellites to generate data, and develops processing toolchains to extract and deliver actionable insights to end-users across various sectors.
Aerospacelab recruits young talents in various technical fields, wanting to unleash their full potential and have a real positive impact on our society.
Founded in 1817, the University of Liège is one of Belgium's leading universities. Located in the heart of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, ULiège has 11 faculties representing the humanities, health sciences, sciences and techniques. Located in three cities of Wallonia: Liège, Gembloux and Arlon, ULiège offers one of the most diversified educational programmes in Belgium and also develops partnerships with public operators and companies.
ESA Space Solutions Belgium is the centre for space-related innovation in Belgium and the go-to place for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas using space to create a better world. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs with the development of successful businesses using space technology, data, and services. We provide access to cutting-edge space technology through our technology transfer activities. We also support promising space start-ups in the first years of their journey through our business incubation activities. Further, we support the development and commercialisation of space-enabled products and services through our business applications activities.
ESA Academy is ESA's overarching educational programme for university students from ESA Member States, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia.Through a tailored transfer of space know-how and interaction with space professionals, ESA Academy takes students through a learning path that enriches their academic education. As a result, students can enhance their skills, boost their motivation and ambitions, become acquainted with the standard professional practices applied nowadays in the space sector, and be better prepared for the labour market.
ESA offers a number of entry-level programmes targeting students (Master or PhD), recent graduates and young professionals, alongside its vacancies for experienced professionals. One of them could be your path to space! Quickly find out which programme could be the best fit for you by following the pathways at ESA on our entry-level flowchart.
The “Space Research and Applications” directorate is responsible for managing Belgium’s space programme on a daily basis, both on a European and bilateral level. Belgium has been active in the space sector for the past thirty years and was at the origin of the foundation of the European Space Agency (ESA). The directorate manages all the space programmes, i.e. space sciences, earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, international space station, exploration, launchers, technology and science programmes. For this purpose, it is in permanent contact with the industrial and scientific world to ensure its maximum involvement in these different programmes. Special attention is given to the development of products with a high technological value, ensuring a maximum return on investment in terms of our country’s financial help.
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Based on the sole criterion of scientific excellence, the Scientific Research Fund FNRS aims to develop basic scientific research within the framework of initiatives presented by researchers. It promotes the production and development of knowledge by supporting, on the one hand, individual researchers and on the other hand, by financing research programs pursued within the laboratories and services located mainly in the universities of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
The Walloon public Service - Research (SPW Recherche) is the legal administration in charge of funding applied research for new technologies and energy for industries, academia and research centres, as well as of related international scientific co-operation. It is therefore the key advisory body for the Regional government authorities involving research and innovation policy. The “Research and Technological Development” department supports, amongst others, all Walloon space research and applications projects.
Silver sponsors
Telespazio Belgium is a services company located in Transinne, subsidiary of Telespazio (a joint venture between Leonardo, 67%, and Thales, 33%). It provides cutting-edge services and applications, engineering services and support in the field of space programs and high technology projects. As part of one of the world’s leading operators in the field of satellite solutions and services, Telespazio Belgium is at the forefront of providing advanced and innovative satellite services in navigation, earth observation and space operations.
SPACEBEL is a Belgian Space systems & software engineering company operating in the Space & Earth observation applications sectors. We are specializing in: on board software systems for satellites and space vehicles, satellite modelling and simulation tools, ground systems for control and mission centres, geospatial information systems and services, small satellite systems.
With an experience of more than 100 years in orbit, QinetiQ's space team enables the most demanding space missions. Whether it's extending the capabilities and possibilities of human space exploration, improving the performance and potential of satellite technology, or the development of increasingly sophisticated systems and space instruments, QinetiQ is a trusted partner for designing and delivering mission success. From our sites in Belgium and UK, we deliver entire satellites and major satellite equipment, including on-board computers and platforms. The PROBA remote sensing satellites have been fully designed and built at our facilities. We develop science instruments for the International Space Station and are able to support long-time crewed missions with our Life Support projects, which look into providing food, oxygen, and fuel to space travelers. The IBDM - the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism - is also one of our projects for the European Space Agency. Join us and launch your career to space!
Optical excellence, designed and built for you, designed and built for the field. Because innovation is at the core of our values, we are your trusted partner in the field of optical systems for the development of pioneering programs, from design and prototyping to production and certification. Through an extended technical experience, Lambda-X provides a toolbox of in-depth knowledge and methodologies to ensure our customers' excellence for the sectors of space and security, bio-medicine and life sciences and quality control of industrial or scientific processes.
HeartKinetics is a company active in e-health, specializing in medical solutions and dedicated to the remote screening and monitoring of patients with heart failure. Created in 2019, HeartKinetics began in the space field thanks to technology for monitoring the heart function of astronauts during their stay in space. Building on the results obtained as part of this ESA-funded project, HeartKinetics now aims to revolutionize the management of heart failure, the leading cause of death worldwide with nearly 65 million cases recorded.
Thales Alenia Space is a leading European space actor in Telecommunications, Navigation, Earth Observation, Science & Exploration, Orbital Infrastructure and Space Transportation.
Present in Belgium with three sites located in Charleroi, Hasselt and Leuven, the Belgian entity of Thales Alenia Space is the largest space electronics manufacturer in the country and the world leader in power supplies for satellites and launchers. Thales Alenia Space has been contributing to the European launcher industry for more than 60 years as a key supplier of many of the electronic systems.
Antwerp Space is a leading Belgian Space company active in the field of Space based RF applications. It is part of OHB SE, a European Space and Technology group that currently employs over 3000 people. Antwerp Space's core business is in the delivery of satellite communication-, navigation- and radar solutions as well as instruments for scientific and exploration missions. The company activity started in 1962 with today's facilities in Antwerp and Leuven. Our growing team is formed by highly skilled engineers and PhDs from all over the world.
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The company is headquartered in Belgium with a subsidiary, Aerospace Applications North America in Houston, USA. We develop and operate manned and unmanned systems for terrestrial, LEO and lunar destinations. We deliver and operate payloads in LEO with the ICE Cubes service. Our systems comprise, ground segment and control centre, platform and payloads, advanced robotics and mechanisms. We provide services including scientific, engineering, mission integration and astronaut training.
BAG aims to federate, to promote and to defend the aeronautical related industries, research centers and other entities in the Brussels Region:
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Promote Aeronautical business in the Brussels-Capital Region
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Promote the collaboration between its members
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Facilitate relations between Brussels-Capital Public Authorities and the aeronautical sector in the Region
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Promote the impact of Aeronautical Industry on economy, employment, R&D and education in the Brussels-Capital Region
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Promote new activities (industrial, engineering, research ...) allowing to develop these impacts
The BAG is a non-profit association, sister of the Flanders Aeronautical Group (FLAG) in Flanders and the Entreprises Wallones de l'Aéronautique (EWA) in Wallonia. The BAG intends to expand the number of members including universities, research centers, industries.
ATM is a department of the Polytechnic School of ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles).
ATM stands for Aero-Thermo-Mechanics and is active in different research topics related to space as hybrid rocket engines, flow visualisation in rocket engine combustion chambers, retro-propulsion for reusable launchers, CFD flow simulations for re-entry of space vehicles, reusable launcher technology as reusable valves and actuators, physics of the space environment, micro-gravity experiments...
Bronze sponsors
As a worldwide leader in its sector, Safran Aero Boosters designs, develops and produces modules, equipment and test cells for aircraft and space engines. Based in Belgium, Safran Aero Boosters has two subsidiaries in the United States and employs 1,700 people. Safran Aero Boosters specializes in flow regulation valves for space propulsion. With a strong focus on Research and Technology, the company is a partner on most future European launcher propulsion programs.
Wallonie Espace is an association gathering 32 industries and universities concerned by Space research and development in Wallonia and Brussels. Its members are actively demonstrating expertise and excellence in various fields and with specific applications of Space technology, such as Earth Observation satellites and payloads, launchers, system exploitation, space applications, etc. In 2021, Wallonie Espace represented some 1800 employees and a turnover of 330 M€.
Our experts at SCK CEN are investigating solutions for some of space exploration’s major challenges. From exposure to cosmic radiation to the preparation of flight experiments and space missions. With more than 30 years of experience in space biology, radiation research, experimentation and development, SCK CEN experts know how to help you successfully launch your journey into space.
GomSpace is a globally leading manufacturer and supplier of cubesat & small satellite solutions for customers in the academic, government and commercial markets. Our positions of strength include systems integration, cubesat platforms, advanced miniaturized radio technology and satellite operations. Our international team is devoted to understanding our customer's requirements and to delivering flawlessly.
Centre Spatial de Liège (CSL) is the foremost institute for space instrumentation technological research and testing. CSL is the applied research center of Liège Université, specializing in design, development, integration, qualification, and calibration of space optical instrumentation
SpaceTec Partners is a unique boutique management consultancy as its team combines years of consulting craftsmanship with in-depth expertise of the space sector and its applications. Our service lines have one common element: defining the right strategy adapted to the client and its context and providing assistance in the implementation. SpaceTec Partners provides independent advice to institutions and companies in Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation, Satellite Communications, Launchers, Space Situational Awareness and Debris Mitigation, Science and Space Exploration, Security and GeoData. Our space capabilities and track record span the entire value chain from upstream (space system manufacturing and launchers), through midstream (data distribution and sales) to downstream (value-added services across different industry verticals). From traditional and institutional space towards commercial NewSpace and technology transfer.
Academic
The Centre de Recherche en Aéronautique (Cenaero) is a non-profit company located in Charleroi (headquarters) with a subsidiary in France. Cenaero is an applied research center providing to any company, involved in a technology innovation process, high fidelity numerical simulation methods and tools to invent and design more competitive products. Cenaero is a growing team of 80+ highly skilled engineers and scientists specialized in numerical methods, materials and process modelling, computational fluid dynamics, physics and applied mathematics.
The mission of the University of Namur (UNamur) is teaching, research and community service. It offers quality teaching which attaches great importance on reflecting about the meaning of human beings and the constituent values of the society in which they live. Teaching feeds on cutting-edge research, which combines excellence and concern for the long term. It pays particular attention to interdisciplinarity and considers the human and social issues of science and technology. Each year, the University of Namur welcomes more than 7200 students of 70 different nationalities.
The Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is very involved in space-related research, in the Faculty of Science, at the Polytechnic School and in the Faculty of Medicine. From the adaptation of the human body in microgravity to the improvement of rocket engines, through the observation of the Earth but also of the distant Universe, a wide range of training courses leading to space-related jobs, as well as to space research, is proposed to our students.
UMONS was created in 2009 following a merger between the University of Mons-Hainaut, founded in 1965, and the Faculty of Engineering of Mons, the university's oldest faculty, founded in 1837. UMONS has almots 12,000 students.
Research at UMONS is carried out by some 1000 researchers within 10 research institutes. Each institute brings together the skills of experienced researchers, post-docs and PhD students from several UMONS faculties.They concentrate their efforts on combining themes covering the three main fields of research, namely life sciences and health, science and technology, and human and social sciences, all of which respond to proven societal needs. In working for the UMONS Institutes, our researchers are provided with increased visibility among international organisations and donors.
UMONS has been a partner for more than 10 years in the MELiSSA project (ESA). The aim of MELiSSA is to develop a regenerative life support system that makes it possible to reproduce the main functions of the terrestrial ecosystem, in a reduced mass and volume and with extreme safety. UMONS is contributing its specialised and recognised skills in proteomics and microbiology.
"KU Leuven is an international community where innovative research forms the basis of all our academic programmes. Across the university, driven researchers and curious students continually gain new insights and use their knowledge to tackle the foremost challenges of our time. KU Leuven is strongly involved in space-related programmes, offering the 'Master of Astrophysics & Astronomy' and the 'Advanced Master of Space Studies'. So whether you are fascinated by the Universe and it's stars and planets, or whether you are interested in the space industry and the role it plays in economic, social, technological and scientific developments, KU Leuven offers unique education and research opportunities to launch your space career."
The Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) is very active in space-related research. UCLouvain contributes to large-scale international projects in the field of space and collaborates closely with partners whose expertise in this field is well established. The space domain at UCLouvain is essentially transversal. It concerns almost all research institutes of the science and technology sector (among the various topics : telecommunications, instrumental design, cosmology, aeronautics, planetology, astrophysics,...) but also some institutes from health science and humanities sectors. UCLouvain has set up an internal network bringing together the active forces in the space field and called "Louvain4Space".
Hasselt University is an innovative university which has a pronounced international orientation. It stands for excellence in education, top research in spearhead fields and active commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. The past year OSCAR-QUBE, an interdisciplinary team of students from Hasselt University won the Orbit Your Thesis project from ESA and got the chance to bring their diamond-based quantum sensor on board of the international space station ISS to map earth's magnetic field. In 2023 the quantum magnetometer will fly on board of the Ariane 6 rocket from ESA. The OSCAR-QUBE project is looking for new students to join them in this space adventure.
The Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) is a research institution that also fulfills a number of public service missions. It is a Federal Scientific Institution (FSI) that belongs to the Federal Science Policy Office ("Belspo"). Our researchers study the planet Earth, the sun and other objects from the near and far universe. The scientific disciplines of the ROB include astronomy, planetology, geophysics, seismology, gravimetry, space geodesy and solar physics. To this end, the ROB cooperates with numerous international centers.
The International Polar Foundation was founded in 2002 as a Foundation of Public Utility. Its primary mission is to support polar science. The IPF also initiated the construction of the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica station which was inaugurated in 2007 as the first and still only ‘zero emission’ station aiming to consolidate Belgiums presence in Antarctica as a service to the people who are increasingly being confronted with climate and environmental challenges. The Belgian Princess Elisabeth Antarctica station yearly hosts many scientists of all nationalities.
Electric vehicles, a self-healing robot, or a new drug for diabetes. These are just a few examples of the wonderful activities linked to the Faculty of Engineering at VUB. Saying yes to Engineering, means saying yes to a world of science, technique, creativity and thinking that does not submit itself. Studying at VUB is saying yes to an adventure at the heart of Europe, a green campus, with lots of initiatives organized for and by students and academics. Together we unlock the dreams, deeds and successes of tomorrow.
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