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

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

09h00

Opening

Amphithéâtre

09h25

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

10h10

Exploration Session – Debate: Do We Still Really Need Astronauts?

Amphithéâtre

Philippe PERRIN
-

Philippe LUGHERINI
-

Ingénieur aérospatial

10h35

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

11h15

Networking Break

Amphithéâtre

11h40

Award ceremony

Salle Lindbergh

11h55

Keynote

Amphithéâtre

Pierre LIONNET
-

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

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

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.

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

Organised by

La tribune
Air&cosmos

Official partner

Région Occitanie

Partners

Airbus
Cité de l'Espace
Club Galaxie
Thales Alenia Space
Toulouse Metropole

Technical partners

La Brigade Traiteur
Vimeet

With the support of

AAE
AEA Asso
Aerospace Angels
Drone Design
Reflet Du Monde
Spacecal
SPOTAIR