conferences & speakers
SPACE FORUM 2026 offers a full day of high-level conferences, thematic panel discussions, and inspiring keynotes. Industry leaders, heads of European space agencies, institutional experts, and innovators will share their insights to anticipate the transformations shaping the space and defence sectors.

Interviews
A format that gives leaders of major organisations in the sector the opportunity to share their perspectives on the strategic challenges reshaping space and defence.

panels
Discussions bringing together executives, researchers, and institutional representatives to exchange perspectives and debate the strategic challenges facing space and defence.

Keynotes
Leading industry figures, policymakers, and renowned experts: the keynotes at SPACE FORUM provide top-level insights into the challenges facing space and defence.
Preliminary programme
09h00
Opening
Amphithéâtre
09h25
The Time for a Sacred Union in the European Space Sector?
Amphithéâtre
Executive Vice President of the space division of Airbus Defence and Space and President of Airbus Defence and Space France
Chairman and CEO of Thales Alenia Space
10h10
Exploration Session – Debate: Do We Still Really Need Astronauts?
Amphithéâtre
Ingénieur aérospatial
10h35
What Strategy for European Space Exploration?
Amphithéâtre
Deputy CEO, Senior Vice President Observation, Exploration and Navigation Domain at Thales Alenia Space
Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency
11h15
Networking Break
Amphithéâtre
11h40
Award ceremony
Salle Lindbergh
11h55
Keynote
Amphithéâtre
Economist, Research Director and Chief Executive Officer of Eurospace
12h20
Awards ceremony
Amphithéâtre
14h00
Guest Country : Germany
Amphithéâtre
14h20
Roundtable Discussion with the Guest Country
Amphithéâtre
15h00
Interview – Defense Space: A New Boost for France
Amphithéâtre
Space Deputy to the Director General for Armaments
15h15
Overview – Defense Space: What Should We Expect from New Space?
Amphithéâtre
Space Deputy to the Director General for Armaments
CEO of Skynopy
15h55
Constellation Wars: Who Will Win Europe’s Small Satellite Battle?
Amphithéâtre
Strategic Operations Manager of ICEYE
Director of Strategy at CNES
Vice President, Growth, OpenCosmos
17h10
Award Presentation – Special Jury Prize
Amphithéâtre
17h20
Closing Remarks
Amphithéâtre
relive the highlightS of THE 2025 EDITION
Among THE 2026 speakers
Chaque année, le Paris Air Forum réunit des dirigeants, experts et décideurs de premier plan : PDG d’industriels mondiaux, responsables d’agences spatiales, ministres, investisseurs et chercheurs. Après une édition 2025 marquée par la présence de figures emblématiques, l’édition 2026 promet de nouvelles personnalités d’exception.
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Alain FAURÉ
Airbus Defence and Space

Claire BERTAUX
ICEYE

Daniel NEUENSCHWANDER
ESA

EVA PORTIER

Fabien APPER
U-Space

Florian DECONINCK
OpenCosmos

Giampiero DI PAOLO
Thales Alenia Space

Hervé DERREY
Thales Alenia Space

Jean-Claude SOUYRIS
CNES

Philippe LUGHERINI

Philippe PERRIN

Pierre BERTRAND
Skynopy

Pierre LIONNET
Eurospace