Securing the Future of Europe in Space
Sternula had the pleasure of attending the Aalborg Space Conference on Monday and Tuesday, the 20th and 21st of October.
The event took place at Musikkens Hus in the center of Aalborg city, where a wide range of entities took part in presentations and panel discussions regarding Europe’s future in space. The event was organized by Aalborg University, the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, and the European Commission, joined by the European Space Agency, Naturvidenskabernes Hus, and ESERO as co-organizers.
The conference showcased a remarkable collaboration between academia, government, and leading European space institutions, all united by a shared ambition to strengthen Europe’s role in the global space sector. Through engaging presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities, the organizers emphasized how cross-sector partnerships can inspire new generations, drive technological advancement, and cultivate a stronger European presence in the space industry.
The Role of Space Connect North in Europe
During the first day of the conference, Sternula CEO Lars Moltsen had the privilege of delivering a keynote speech on behalf of Space Connect North, highlighting the importance of Northern Jutland’s growing hub of space related companies – a collaboration we are very proud to be a part of.
Afterwards, he joined a panel discussion alongside Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen, AAU professor Jens Dalsgaard and a student from AAU. Together, they discussed career pathways and the importance of attracting young talent to the space sector.
Sternula Senior R&D Engineer John Hansen also held a workshop for AAU students, where he shared insights from the launch, preparation and operation of Sternula-1, Denmark’s first commercial satellite.
Showcasing VDES as the Future of Maritime Connectivity
On the second day of the conference Lars took the stage once again to present Sternula’s AIS 2.0 connectivity solution and discuss the challenges we face as a small company in the space industry.
His presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring other SCN representatives, AAU professors and Jaime Ferragut from the EU Commission. The session offered unique insights into the strengths and synergies within Space Connect North, and how opportunities are created in European space initiatives.
Inspirational Speeches and Panel Discussions
Throughout the event, Sternula team members attended a variety of inspirational speeches and presentations from leading figures in the space sector. A key topic of discussion was defense and the need for Europe to unite in strengthening focus and investment in the space sector to achieve greater autonomy.
As emphasized by EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, this is a pressing matter – and the time to act is now.
