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19. May 2025

Dr. Enrico Fels on WDR 5: Spaceflight as a Strategic Opportunity for North Rhine-Westphalia Dr. Enrico Fels on WDR 5: Spaceflight as a Strategic Opportunity for North Rhine-Westphalia

In the WDR 5 programme “Neugier genügt – Freifläche,” space policy expert Enrico Fels highlights the strategic, economic, and security-related potential of spaceflight for North Rhine-Westphalia. He outlines how the region can emerge as a key player in Europe’s space sector.

Dr. Enrico Fels on WDR 5: Spaceflight as a Strategic Opportunity for North Rhine-Westphalia
Dr. Enrico Fels on WDR 5: Spaceflight as a Strategic Opportunity for North Rhine-Westphalia © Pixabay
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On 19 May 2025, Enrico Fels appeared on the WDR 5 programme “Neugier genügt – Freifläche” to discuss the growing importance of space policy for North Rhine-Westphalia. As the newly appointed Space Ambassador for the state, Fels emphasized that space activities not only drive technological innovation but also offer considerable benefits in terms of economic growth and security policy.

He argued that NRW, with its strong industrial base, leading research institutions, and proactive political support, is uniquely positioned to play a central role in European space efforts. Fels also stressed the importance of fostering young talent and expanding international cooperation to strengthen the region’s long-term competitiveness.

The appointment of a dedicated Space Ambassador underscores NRW’s ambition to take an active role in shaping space policy and to develop forward-looking strategies for sustainable growth in this critical sector.

https://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/audio/wdr5/wdr5-neugier-genuegt-freiflaeche/audio-raumfahrt-als-chance-die-zukunft-nrws-im-all-100.html

Dr. Enrico Fels is Managing Director of the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Economics, Society and German Studies (two-subject Bachelor) from Ruhr University Bochum and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Australian National University, where he was also a T.B. Millar Scholar in Strategic and Defense Studies. He received his PhD from the University of Bonn in 2016 with a comprehensive study of the power shift in Asia-Pacific. The work, published by Springer, was positively reviewed in various journals.

Dr. Fels was a Visiting Fellow at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre of the Australian National University and was a guest lecturer at the University of Tokyo and Andrássy University Budapest.