Slovakia: From Heritage to a Modern Space Ecosystem

Slovakia’s engagement in space engineering and astronautics dates back to the 1970s, when the first space hardware development activities were initiated within former Czechoslovakia. The region’s human spaceflight legacy includes the mission of Czechoslovak cosmonaut Vladimír Remek and later Slovak citizen Ivan Bella, who spent seven days aboard the Mir space station in 1999. Slovak scientists and engineers have also contributed to major international missions, including the historic Rosetta mission in 2014, which achieved humanity’s first comet landing, with professional technical participation led by Dr. Ján Baláž. Today, Slovakia has developed a dynamic and rapidly growing space ecosystem with more than 60 companies actively engaged in the sector. While a significant portion operates in the upstream domain, the majority of space-related revenues are generated through downstream applications, particularly software solutions leveraging Earth observation and positioning data. Beyond established players, dozens of companies from relevant industries - including electronics, high-precision manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and ICT - represent strong potential for diversification into the space economy. Many already possess initial project experience and transferable technological capabilities. How does Slovakia support diversification into the space sector? How are talent development and capacity building addressed? And how is Slovakia positioning itself as a reliable partner within European and global space structures? From emerging space ecosystems to established space nations, this session brings together diverse perspectives on building sustainable growth in the space sector. Join us at the Slovakia Showcase to exchange knowledge and discover collaboration opportunities.