AED Cluster Portugal took part in the 9th edition of the New Space Atlantic Summit, an annual event organised by the Portuguese Space Agency, which took place on 24 and 25 June at the Técnico Innovation Centre in Lisbon. Under the theme “The Architecture of Power: Geopolitics in the Second Era of Space Exploration”, the event brought together representatives from industry, academia, the public sector and the defence forces to discuss the growing role of space as a strategic domain for Europe’s security, competitiveness and resilience.
AED Cluster Portugal’s participation reflected the association’s commitment to developing the national space ecosystem and promoting dialogue between the various stakeholders driving the sector’s value chain.
On the first day of the conference, Rui Santos, Director-General of AED Cluster Portugal, took part in the panel “Four Pillars of the Space Economy: Science, Innovation, Industry and Defence”, which analysed the pillars underpinning the space economy. The session also featured António Bob Santos (AI² – Agency for Research and Innovation), Major José Viana (Portuguese Air Force) and Yasser Omar (Portuguese Quantum Institute), and was moderated by Ricardo Conde, President of the Portuguese Space Agency.
On the second day, AED Cluster Portugal also played a central role in the event’s programme through the panel discussion “Space Made in Portugal – Integration and Operations by AED”, moderated by Leonardo Oliveira. The session brought together representatives from some of the most prominent organisations in the Portuguese space sector, namely Bruno Carvalho (Atlantic Spaceport Consortium), Nuno Bustorff Silva (LusoSpace), Major José Viana (Portuguese Air Force) and André Guerra (Open Cosmos).
Over the course of the two days, the New Space Atlantic Summit fostered discussion on topics such as technological sovereignty, international cooperation, European defence, the role of the Atlantic in the new space economy, and the importance of space technologies for economic development and collective security.
The 9th New Space Atlantic Summit once again confirmed Portugal’s growing importance on the European and international space scene, highlighting the country’s potential to contribute actively to shaping the policies, technologies and partnerships that will shape the future of space exploration and utilisation.
About the New Space Atlantic Summit
The New Space Atlantic Summit is the Portuguese Space Agency’s annual conference. The 2026 edition was held under the theme “The Architecture of Power: Geopolitics in the Second Era of Space Exploration” and brought together national and international experts to discuss the new paradigms of sovereignty, cooperation and security in the space sector, at a time when the sector is establishing itself as a fundamental pillar of Europe’s competitiveness and resilience.
Further information is available on the conference’s official website: New Space Atlantic Summit
