Invest in Spain

The Spanish space industry posted a turnover of 510 million euros in 2007, 16% up on the previous year, according to the latest report published by the Spanish Association of Space Enterprises (ProEspacio). Compared to its European partners, Spain has doubled its growth rate over the last year and ranks fifth in terms of revenues, behind France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

As regards employment, the sector has grown 8%, providing over 2,800 jobs. Given the nature of the sector, 25% of people working in the industry are directly involved in R&D activities.

This positive evolution is possible, in large part, thanks to Spain’s role in missions such as the Columbus laboratory, ATV spacecraft and the second Galileo navigation satellite, which are landmarks in the development and positioning of the European space sector, enabling the Spanish industry to prepare to play a major part in international space projects.

According to this survey, two thirds of businesses in this sector come from development and deployment of satellites and spacecraft. Another significant contribution to revenues comes from space missions, as well as service and equipment provision for launch vehicles. There has also been a steady rise in public funds dedicated to the sector, which has enabled the industry to collaborate on a wide range of programs coordinated by the European Space Agency (ESA).

The projects planned in the short-term future include the observation satellites Ingenio and Paz, contracting and the REDSAT payload for the Hispasat AG1 satellite, and the development of two communications satellites: Amazonas 2 and Hispasat 1E.