Israel Debuts National Pavilion at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen
Israel is showcasing its aerospace sector for the first time at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, with a national pavilion featuring 24 companies led by the Rakia Space Forum and the Israel Space Agency.
Israel is making its debut at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany, featuring a national pavilion with a delegation of 24 companies ranging from major defense contractors like Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, and Rafael to agile startups. Led by the Rakia Israeli Space Forum and the Israel Space Agency, the delegation aims to showcase Israel's growing footprint in the booming global space economy.
The New Space Era and Global Growth
Adar Wernik Shalev, CEO of Rakia, explains that the New Space era is characterized by private enterprises developing space technologies, launching payloads, and commercializing services in low Earth orbit alongside government agencies. According to a joint report by McKinsey and the World Economic Forum, the global space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. Meanwhile, Ran Livne, director of the Israel Space Agency, notes that the industry has shifted from a state-controlled monopoly to a commercial market. Lower launch costs, driven largely by SpaceX, have enabled over a hundred nations to deploy space assets, turning space into critical infrastructure comparable to undersea fiber-optic cables.
Israel's Unique Edge and Ecosystem
Eytan Stibbe, an astronaut and director at Rakia who flew to the International Space Station in 2022, highlights how the aerospace sector is evolving. With next-generation rockets like Starship driving launch costs below $1,000 per kilogram, private capital and institutional investors are increasingly backing lunar and Martian missions. Israel's tech ecosystem is uniquely positioned to contribute, leveraging expertise honed in military units and defense R&D. Israeli firms excel at engineering robust systems capable of operating in extreme conditions and without reliable GPS signals—capabilities that are in high demand across civilian markets in Europe and beyond.
Building Bridges and International Partnerships
Germany serves as a primary strategic partner for Israeli aerospace firms looking to expand their European footprint. Livne emphasizes that German companies hold a strong affinity for Israeli technology, creating lucrative avenues for cross-border collaboration. With over 115 Israeli delegates attending the Bremen exhibition, the joint national pavilion provides smaller startups with essential visibility and direct matchmaking with global primes, reinforcing Israel's status as an indispensable player in the international space arena.
