New Space España will bring together the space sector in Vigo to address strategic autonomy from space
May 27, 2026
New Space España will once again turn Vigo into a meeting point for the Spanish space sector. Alén Space, organiser of the event, officially presented today at the Sede Afundación Vigo the fourth edition of the congress, which will take place on 24 and 25 September and bring together companies, institutions, technology centres, universities, startups and professionals connected to the space ecosystem.
The presentation featured the participation of Guillermo Lamelas, CEO of Alén Space; David Regades, State Delegate at the Consorcio Zona Franca de Vigo; Margarita Ardao, Director General for Industrial Strategy and Business Land at the Xunta de Galicia; Miguel Ángel Molina, Deputy General Manager of Space Systems at GMV; and Fernando Aguado, Professor and Director of the Aerospace Technology Research Group at the University of Vigo.
Under the theme “Strategic Autonomy from Space”, New Space España 2026 will address the role of the space sector in a context marked by the need to strengthen sovereign capabilities in both Spain and Europe. The programme will focus on areas such as satellite communications, Earth observation, navigation, sustainability, security, technology transfer and the development of new industrial opportunities. “New Space España has already become a consolidated meeting point for the Spanish space sector, and in this fourth edition we want to focus on a key issue for the immediate future: how space contributes not only to strategic autonomy, but also to innovation, competitiveness and the improvement of essential services for society,” highlighted Guillermo Lamelas, CEO of Alén Space.
A rapidly growing sector
The new edition of New Space España will take place at a time of strong growth for the space economy. According to The Space Report 2025 Q2, the global space economy reached 613 billion USD in 2024, with year-on-year growth of 7.8%. In Spain, the latest edition of TEDAE’s Space Sector Yearbook reports that the Spanish space industry reached a turnover of 1.3 billion euros in 2024, representing a 16.5% increase compared to the previous year, with 7,636 direct jobs, 205 million euros invested in R&D&I and exports accounting for 83% of consolidated revenues.
According to Miguel Ángel Molina, Deputy General Manager of Space Systems at GMV, “we are facing a particularly important and decisive moment for the space sector. The growth of the space economy, technological acceleration and the international context are reinforcing the role of space as a strategic domain for industry, science, security and national competitiveness.”
New capabilities, talent and innovation
One of the new features of New Space España 2026 is the Call for Posters, an initiative that will allow universities, technology centres, research groups, startups, companies and professionals to present projects, research and technological developments linked to the space sector. Selected proposals will be exhibited during the congress in the networking spaces, encouraging direct interaction with companies, institutions and professionals from the sector. This initiative strengthens the connection between research, industry and talent, while increasing visibility opportunities for emerging projects within the space ecosystem.
David Regades, State Delegate at the Consorcio Zona Franca de Vigo, highlighted “the ecosystem created in the Vigo area, a benchmark in Spain and Europe”, and described the congress as “not only the meeting point for the Spanish space sector, but also a demonstration of Galicia’s strength in this field as a hub for talent attraction and business development.”
Margarita Ardao, Director General for Industrial Strategy and Business Land at the Xunta de Galicia, also stressed that “Vigo and Galicia have the industrial and technological capabilities required to continue strengthening their position within the value chain of a strategic sector such as space. New Space España is a key initiative that helps showcase this potential and generate new collaboration opportunities between companies and institutions.”
Vigo, a meeting point for the space sector
Organised by Alén Space, New Space España 2026 is supported by companies such as GMV (Platinum Sponsor), Acorde, Airbus, Arkadia Space, atlanTTic-UVigo, DHV Technology, Gradiant, Kreios Space, OCCAM Space, Rohde & Schwarz, Satlantis, Telespazio and UARX Space, in addition to the support of public institutions such as the Xunta de Galicia, the Consorcio Zona Franca de Vigo and the University of Vigo.
The third edition of New Space España brought together 120 companies and nearly 300 professionals in Vigo, consolidating the event as one of the leading forums to analyse the present and future of the Spanish space sector. With this fourth edition, the congress further strengthens its role as a platform for dialogue between industry, public administration, universities, technology centres and emerging players within the New Space ecosystem.