Orbit as an Operating Room – Europe's Security Architecture in Space
April 28, 2026 / 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. / Lecture Hall I, Poppelsdorf Campus (Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 5, 53115 Bonn)
Space has long been a field of action in security policy—as an infrastructure space, reconnaissance platform, and potential area of conflict. The increasing militarization of orbit, anti-satellite systems, dual-use technologies, and strategies for space dominance are fundamentally changing the global security situation. Europe must also face up to this development.
The session analyzes how European states are building security-related capabilities in space – from satellite-based reconnaissance and early warning systems to secure communications. At the same time, institutional challenges will be discussed: What role does NATO play in space? How do the civilian and military components of European space travel relate to each other? And how can the development of strategic resilience be reconciled with international arms control efforts?
A particular focus is on the question of how Europe is responding to the new security policy realities – politically, technologically, and conceptually. Is there a need for a common strategic picture of the situation in space? How can threats be identified and countermeasures coordinated? And what political visions does Europe need to protect its interests beyond the atmosphere?
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.
Procedure
Welcome:
Dr. Enrico Fels
Managing Director of the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS)
Lecture followed by discussion:
Colonel Thomas Spangenberg
Deputy Commander of the German Armed Forces Space Command
In close cooperation with:
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