On Wednesday Budapest hosted a space industry event focusing on sustainability and space debris, organized by the Ministry for National Economy (NGM) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The event provided a platform for Hungarian companies and researchers to present their business and scientific solutions while marking a new milestone in the country’s space policy. During the gathering the Ministry for National Economy, Óbuda University, and the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network signed a joint declaration affirming their commitment to responsible space policy.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the event was held under the framework of ESA’s Space Safety Programme Committee and was co-hosted by HUN-REN. The conference attracted 150 participants, including industry experts, government officials, and researchers, who discussed the latest developments in space sustainability.
Speakers at the event included ESA experts Tim Flohrer and Holger Krag, Deputy State Secretary for Technology Szabolcs Szolnoki, HUN-REN President Balázs Gulyás, and CEO Roland Jakab, as well as renowned astronomer László L Kiss. Their presentations highlighted the growing challenges posed by space debris and outlined the latest sustainability initiatives and projects aimed at mitigating risks.
Szolnoki emphasized the rapid expansion of the global space industry, which is projected to surpass 1.1 trillion dollars in revenue by 2040. He stressed that strengthening Hungary’s presence in the international space sector is of strategic importance, as it offers substantial business, diplomatic, and scientific advantages for the national economy. The Deputy State Secretary also noted that Hungarian companies and researchers have already demonstrated their engineering excellence through successful project bids.
The Ministry for National Economy is committed to further integrating Hungarian innovative firms and research institutions into international space technology developments and missions. The Ministry highlighted that participation in space-dependent services, such as global telecommunications and satellite navigation, presents significant opportunities for Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises.
A key moment of the event was the signing of the Statement for a Responsible Space Sector by Deputy State Secretary Szabolcs Szolnoki, Óbuda University Rector Levente Kovács, and HUN-REN President Balázs Gulyás. The declaration aims to promote sustainable development and strengthen cooperation among European space industry stakeholders, ensuring the optimal use of available resources and expertise.
With its increasing involvement in space sustainability and international collaborations, Hungary continues to position itself as a proactive player in the evolving global space industry.
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