Space Day 2026: Obuda University Hosts Key Forum for a Sustainable and Secure Space Sector

The space sector has become critical infrastructure for Europe. Secure connectivity, navigation and Earth observation are now an integral part of daily life, and therefore of the economy, national security and autonomy. At the same time, geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic fluctuations, disrupted supply chains, cyber threats and extreme weather events test the resilience of these systems every day. This is why it is especially significant that, for the fourth time, the organizers of Space Day brought together European and Central and Eastern European decision-makers and experts at Obuda University. Their goal was to explore how responsible operations, sustainable innovation and stronger regional cooperation can be turned into space capabilities that give Europe greater security, autonomy and competitiveness.



In his welcome address, Rector Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács presented the university’s related projects and its achievements in the space sector.



Prof. Dr. Miklós Kozlovszky, Director of the Obuda University Space Lab, then gave more details.

István Gódor, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation at the Ministry of Science and Technology, outlined the government’s new innovation policy plans, including those for the space sector. Dániel Kristóf, Head of the Remote Sensing Department at the Lechner Knowledge Centre, presented the current state of space-based government services and upcoming developments. Industry was represented by Hervé Foch, Head of Optical Programs at Airbus, who showed how much Earth observation satellites have advanced and how the exponentially growing volume of data can be managed effectively. Andrea Vena, Director of Sustainability at the European Space Agency (ESA), highlighted the importance of using space sustainably as a key resource, as well as building and operating space assets responsibly.

A responsible space sector

Next, 14 Hungarian and regional organizations joined ESA’s Statement for a Responsible Space Sector. Rector Kovács was among the first in Hungary to sign the statement on behalf of Obuda University, in February last year. At the time, he said: “Joining will greatly help Obuda University achieve its goals in space research and space sustainability, and contribute to innovative solutions that benefit society.” The signatories aim to lay the foundations for the sustainable development of the space sector and to increase the social benefits of space activities.

After the break, a regional space industry roundtable brought together Simon Jenner (Bulgarian Space Cluster), Marek Kosuda (Slovak Space Cluster) and Paweł Ziemnicki (Polish Space Industry Association). Moderated by Szabolcs Velkei (HunSpace Cluster), the panelists discussed the potential of regional cooperation and ways to tackle shared challenges.

The final session focused on transatlantic cooperation. Péter Kristóf, the Rector’s Commissioner for Space Affairs, presented the recently launched HU-rizont project led by Obuda University, which is developing a lunar robot and a spacesuit undergarment, as well as a space economy model. Project partners include Rice University in Houston and Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania. Professor David Alexander, Director of the Rice Space Institute, joined the session online and shared updates on the U.S. space program and the institute’s cutting-edge research projects.

In his closing remarks, Gábor Molnár, Director General of the Kármán Space Research Center, reaffirmed the importance and responsibility of the space sector.

The next Space Day will be held on April 22, 2027, organized jointly with the Slovak VytahConf. Pre-registration is already open at vytahconf.com.