16 May 2024 | 4 - 5 pm | digital panel discussion

Space is critical infrastructure. The space-based infrastructure around our planet performs tasks that are essential for the functioning of modern societies. This not only applies to the flawless functioning of energy supplies, ATMs, navigation and stock exchange trading. Without the data obtained via satellites, it would also be much more difficult to record the global course and regional consequences of climate change or to achieve many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ensuring the reliable and sustainable functioning of this space-based infrastructure is therefore vital for the survival of human civilization in many respects and must also be in the particular interest of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union. The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine also highlights once again the particular military and security significance of space-based infrastructure. Terrestrial rivalries are being continued in space: In the course of a new space race, outer space is not only a significant economic, but also and especially an astropolitical competitive space, which is characterized by enormous strategic rivalry and a new arms race. The aim of the digital panel discussion is not only to shed light on various important aspects of this strategic rivalry in space and discuss its further implications, but also to show how Germany can continue to work alongside its partners in the future to enable the safe and sustainable use of space in order to guarantee a sustainable future for human space travel.

Panel

Dr. Anna Christmann, Member of the Bundestag (B90/Greens), Federal Government Coordinator for German Aerospace

Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl, European Space Agency

Dr. Enrico Fels, Managing Director CASSIS, University of Bonn

PD Dr. Antje Nötzold, Private lecturer TU Chemnitz

Sabine von der Recke, Member of the Management Board OHB

Moderation

Ramona Schmitt, Young Security Policy Working Group of the BAKS