April 21, 2026 / 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. / Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus (Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 5, 53115 Bonn)

Satellites form the backbone of modern societies – whether for communication, transportation, financial transactions, weather monitoring, or situational awareness in crisis management. Yet in an increasingly complex orbital environment, European satellite systems are increasingly exposed to concrete disruptions, risks, and threats – ranging from targeted jamming attacks to space debris and solar storms. At the same time, Europe depends on key capabilities such as launch vehicles, critical technologies, and data from partner states.

The focus is on issues of supply security, strategic autonomy, and systemic resilience. How can Europe secure its capacity for independent space operations? What role do various elements play in this – such as proprietary or redundant infrastructure, as well as shared threat perception, strategic foresight, and international cooperation?

This session examines Europe’s technological and geopolitical vulnerabilities and dependencies in space and highlights approaches to resilience within the context of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy. Strategic resilience in space is by no means merely a technical issue, but a central question for the future regarding Europe’s ability to act on Earth.

The event is being held in cooperation with the German Space Agency, the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the German Armed Forces Space Command, the Society for Security Policy (GSP), the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), the Research Network for Security and Technology in Space (SichTRaum), the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Bonn-Rhein-Sieg), the Bonn Adult Education Center, and the ASTRA student association.

Welcome:

Dr. Enrico Fels

Managing Director of the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS)

Lecture followed by discussion:

Dr. Regina Peldszus

Specialist for Space Security at the European External Action Service (EEAS)