Conferences & Speakers | Toulouse Space Forum 2026

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.

Deux femmes discutant lors d'une conférence, l'une parle au micro, l'autre écoute attentivement.

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.
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Cinq hommes assis en demi-cercle sur des fauteuils verts discutent lors d'une table ronde sur scène bleue.

panels

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

Un homme en costume parle au micro lors d'une conférence avec un fond bleu et rouge.

Keynotes

Leading industry figures, policymakers, and renowned experts: the keynotes at SPACE FORUM provide top-level insights into the challenges facing space and defence.
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Preliminary programme

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08h30

Opening

Amphithéâtre

Jean-Luc MOUDENC

Mayor of Toulouse, President of Toulouse Métropole

08h55

Keynote Speaker

Amphithéâtre

09h15

The Time for a Sacred Union in the European Space Sector?

Amphithéâtre

Alain FAURÉ

Executive Vice President of the space division of Airbus Defence and Space and President of Airbus Defence and Space France

Hervé DERREY

Chairman and CEO of Thales Alenia Space

Massimo COMPARINI

Managing Director of Leonardo's Space Division

10h00

Debate: Do We Still Really Need Astronauts?

Amphithéâtre

Philippe PERRIN

Philippe LUGHERINI

Ingénieur aérospatial

10h25

Networking Break

Amphithéâtre

10h50

What Strategy for European Space Exploration?

Amphithéâtre

Giampiero DI PAOLO

Deputy CEO, Senior Vice President Observation, Exploration and Navigation Domain at Thales Alenia Space

Daniel NEUENSCHWANDER

Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency

David MASTERSON

Vice President, Future Programmes – Earth Observation, Science & Exploration, Airbus Defence and Space

Anna CHRISTMANN

Former federal government coordinator of German Aerospace Policy

11h30

Award ceremony

Amphithéâtre

11h40

Keynote

Amphithéâtre

Pierre LIONNET

Economist, Research Director and Chief Executive Officer of Eurospace

12h20

Awards ceremony

Amphithéâtre

14h00

Guest Country

Amphithéâtre

14h20

Roundtable Discussion with the Guest Country

Amphithéâtre

15h00

Interview – Defense Space: A New Boost for France

Amphithéâtre

EVA PORTIER

Space Deputy to the Director General for Armaments

15h15

Overview – Defense Space: What Should We Expect from New Space?

Amphithéâtre

EVA PORTIER

Space Deputy to the Director General for Armaments

Pierre BERTRAND

CEO of Skynopy

Fabien APPER

15h55

Constellation Wars: Who Will Win Europe’s Small Satellite Battle?

Amphithéâtre

Claire BERTAUX

Strategic Operations Manager of ICEYE

Jean-Claude SOUYRIS

Director of Strategy at CNES

Florian DECONINCK

Vice President, Growth, OpenCosmos

17h10

Award Presentation – Special Jury Prize

Amphithéâtre

17h20

Closing Remarks

Amphithéâtre

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.