Space Ecosystems Switzerland/Liechtenstein and Florida

Space Ecosystems Switzerland/Liechtenstein and Florida Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich becomes European Hub for Space Florida

2025-08-20 Source: Press release Switzerland Innovation Park 4 min Reading Time

The Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA) and the Switzerland Innovation Park Foundation, together with Space Florida, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The aim is to establish a hub for trade, logistics, research, innovation, and education between Florida and Switzerland and Liechtenstein for the European region.

Switzerland Innovation Park Zürich becomes european hub for Space Florida.(source: Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein) — Switzerland Innovation Park Zürich becomes european hub for Space Florida.
(source: Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein)

On the occasion of the Paris Air Show, the Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA), the Switzerland Innovation Park Foundation (IPZ), and Space Florida signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding. Space Florida is the State of Florida’s aerospace finance and development authority. The goal is to establish a transatlantic partnership to promote trade, research, and innovation activities — with Switzerland serving as a hub and the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich as its location. This creates a direct transatlantic link between the space ecosystems of Switzerland/Liechtenstein and Florida.

Technological Focus Areas: Biotechnology, Robotics, Materials Science, and Data Centers

The collaboration will focus on biotechnology, biomedicine, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), data, and materials science. The agreement includes the establishment of a transatlantic network for trade, logistics, research, innovation, and education, as well as the use of the civil aviation infrastructure at Dübendorf Airfield. In addition, the partners will grant each other access to infrastructures, services, expertise, and testing facilities — including parabolic flights from Dübendorf. Furthermore, the partners aim to facilitate cross-border activities.

“It’s about more than a partnership — it’s a step toward progress. The agreement marks the beginning of concrete, measurable actions to build a global network of space hubs for research, commerce, talent, and innovation,” said Rob Long, President and CEO of Space Florida. “Together with our Swiss partners, we are pooling resources to create a seamless space corridor for innovation, open new trade flows, and establish a stronger global space ecosystem with Florida at its center.”

Competitive Advantages: Infrastructure, Talent, and Innovation Capacity

Dübendorf Airfield and the Zurich Innovation Park offer a unique New Space infrastructure: an active airfield with existing research flights, combined with an innovation park providing direct access to the airfield. Equally decisive are the aerospace and aviation competencies of leading universities, brought together within the CSA. Professor Elisabeth Stark, CSA Foundation Board Member and Vice President Research at the University of Zurich, stated:
“The establishment of a European Space Hub requires highly qualified talent and young professionals from diverse disciplines and universities. This crucial access is exactly what we can offer Space Florida through the various academic CSA partners.”

According to Peter E. Bodmer, President of the Switzerland Innovation Park Foundation, the agreement represents a milestone for the Zurich Innovation Park and its development.
“The memorandum confirms the Zurich Innovation Park as a strategic location for the development of pioneering technologies and ecosystems in the heart of Europe.”

Integration into the Global Value Chains of the Space Industry

The agreement lays the foundation for industrial settlements, technology transfer, and investments. It gives companies and research institutions access to a space market that, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF), could grow to over USD 1.8 trillion by 2035. At the same time, Switzerland is positioning itself as a transatlantic innovation and business bridge for the New Space Economy.

The integration of artificial intelligence in satellites enables faster, autonomous decision-making processes and optimizes the use of data downlink bandwidths in space. (Image:AMD)

The Greater Zurich Area is one of Europe’s most innovative locations, with strong start-up dynamics and a high willingness to invest.
“The establishment of a European Space Hub for Space Florida enables the connection and integration of the Greater Zurich area, reaching into the Rhine Valley, into the global value chains of the space industry,” explained Professor Oliver Ullrich, Chairman of CSA and Director of the UZH Space Hub.
With this agreement, Space Florida, CSA, and the Zurich Innovation Park are now laying the foundation at Dübendorf — the birthplace of Swiss aviation — for a new era of the Space Economy.

About Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA)

The Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA) serves as a competence center for research, education, and international cooperation in the aerospace sector. It is a key player in coordinating the strategic development of the Swiss space sector, with a focus on commercialization and global partnerships. The CSA emerged from the Space Hub of the University of Zurich, founded in 2018, and represents its systematic expansion to include additional partners from academia, government, the military, and industry.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

The following partners collaborate within the CSA: University of Zurich, Empa, University of St. Gallen, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein, Air Force Medical Institute, Department of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich, Office of Communications of the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Swiss Skylab, and the Air Force Center.

About Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich

The Zurich Innovation Park is a place on the rise: on more than 70 hectares near the city of Zurich, a unique ecosystem for research, development, and innovation is taking shape. The Zurich Innovation Park combines Swiss strengths—such as high quality of life, political stability, and legal certainty—with the dynamism of international innovation. In an urban environment, state-of-the-art laboratories, offices, workshops, and testing facilities are being developed. As a lively meeting point for creative minds, it fosters exchange between research, industry, and society. Currently, the focus is on aerospace, robotics and mobility, as well as materials and product development. Companies and research institutions in the Zurich area bring excellent capabilities to this effort—and together they are shaping the world of tomorrow.

About Space Florida

At Space Florida, leading aerospace companies find everything they need to realize their visions. As the independent aerospace finance and development authority of the State of Florida, Space Florida offers a combination of unique expertise, unmatched financial instruments, and an unbeatable location. The organization provides key financing opportunities for the aerospace industry, manages infrastructure investments across the state’s spaceport system, and supports research and development, workforce, education, and investment programs.