[25-07-2016]

Lothar Riebsamen (MdB, CDU) visited SpaceTech to discuss existing capabilities, future chances and needs, of a small and medium enterprise (SME) active in the space business. Specific focal point of interest addressed was the political environment in view of future developments of governmental and private budgets. The visit has been coordinated with a visit at ASP-Equipment, together with BSSE and Hema, other SMEs from the Lake Contance area, active in the space sector.

Left to right: Kolja Nicklaus (STI), Wolfgang Pitz (STI), Lothar Riebsamen(MdB,CDU), Thomas Hintze(ASP)

As an acknowleged SME space system provider, SpaceTech sees itself well positioned to handle the challenges of the future, also associated with new developments such as "New Space" or "Space 4.0". To continue the success story of german space industry, also relying on a strong SME community, one important cornerstone is the reliable funding of technology developments in national and european programs, such as GSTP and Artes. These programs provide a huge leverage if supported reliably and are particularly effective and essential for SMEs.

While the big programs, such as ISS and Ariane 6 are of course very important, it is the earlier technology development which brings german space SME in the position to maintain and extend their international competitiveness in the future.

SpaceTech would like to express its thanks to Lothar Riebsamen for the visit and his will to support the SME request, for a strong and reliable technology funding in the space sector. In the frame of this meeting, certain next steps have been agreed on.