iac 2018 vienna - Smart Space for Smart Life

Smart space for smart life

Austria is an international player in the field of space research and technology. Around 100 Austrian companies are currently being key providers of cutting-edge technology on the international market. Austria avails of more than 1,000 scientists, researchers and engineers involved in developing technical standards for satellites, launch vehicles, ground stations or software programmes. Read more about the Austrian space competences on this webpage.

Austria is a very active participant in the space community. Therefore, it offered the organisation of the IAC 2018 in Vienna, an ideal conference location in the heart of Europe. During the IAC 2015 in Jerusalem, Israel, the organisation committee took the decision to hold the congress 2018 in Bremen, Germany.

We congratulate Bremen for being the host of this renowned conference and look forward to participate with our Austrian expert community.

The Austrian know-how:

Sound aerospace know-how

“Austria has a longstanding history in space, as an active player in space activities right from the very beginning in the 1950s. This stimulated the development of Austrian space technology, the space industry and space exploration. The active approach resulted in the creation of many employment opportunities. Now, Austria is a recognised partner in the space world.”

Klaus Pseiner, Managing Director, Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG

Klaus Pseiner: © FFG/Astrid Knie

At a glance

Today, more than 100 Austrian organisations with around 1,000 employees are active in the space sector. Additionally, 240 companies work in the aeronautics sector with more than 9,000 employees.

Commercial projects and research funds of the space sector have a total volume of EUR 125 million. The aerospace industries’ turnover is above EUR 2 billion.

In Austria, the technology transfer to other sectors is a key asset. Due to an active approach, space technologies from half of the market are being used in other sectors (e.g. geodesy, aerospace, automotive, medical technology).

Highlights of the past years

1987:: Full ESA membership of Austria
1991:: AUSTROMIR Mission, First Austrian Cosmonaut Franz Viehböck on MIR
1993:: Move of UNOOSA from New York to Vienna
2002:: Start of the Austrian Space Applications Programme
2003:: Foundation of the European Space Policy Institute ESPI
2013:: First Austrian Satellite in Space: TUG-SAT1/BRITE AUSTRIA
2014:: Head of the Aeronautics and Space Agency of FFG takes over Chair of ESA Council
2015:: Peter Jankowitsch elected for IAA President

Strong Austrian knowledge center

“The FFG is the hub for Austrian space activities. At the same time, it gives access to the whole Research and Development community. With a deep know-how in national and international projects, the FFG is the ideal entry point to Austria’s space sector.”

Henrietta Egerth, Managing Director, Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG

The FFG

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG is the national funding agency for industrial research and development in Austria. The FFG was founded on 1 September 2004 and is wholly owned by the Republic of Austria. As a "one-stop shop" offering a diversified and targeted program portfolio, the FFG gives Austrian businesses and research facilities quick and uncomplicated access to research funding.

Aeronautics and Space Agency

The Aeronautics and Space Agency (ALR) of the FFG is the docking station to the international aerospace world for Austrian business and science. The agency implements national aerospace policy and represents Austria on international aerospace committees. Austrian representation in the European Space Agency ESA is of special strategic importance in this context.

The FFG supports the involvement of Austrian researchers in international and bilateral aerospace partnerships and encourages the establishment and expansion of international networks.

https://www.ffg.at/en