"With ESA Phi-Lab Austria, we are sending a clear signal: research, market opportunities and international visibility go hand in hand for us," emphasizes Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner. "The fact that Europe's first ESA Phi-Lab has been located in Lower Austria is not only an honour, but also a mission – and we take it very seriously. We are working intensively to make Lower Austria a hotspot of the European space industry. And in doing so, we are making a contribution to the best future for our children."
ESA Phi-Lab Austria is being implemented by the technology incubator of the state of Lower Austria, accent, together with its partners tecnet, Brimatech and ENSPACE.
Four of the five funded projects come from Lower Austria. The startup GATE Space, whose engine is scheduled to fly into space aboard a SpaceX rocket in 2026, stands out in particular.
Also part of ESA Phi-Lab Austria is the Upper Austrian Peak Technology GmbH with a project to automate the production of high-pressure storage systems (COPVs) made of carbon-fibre-wrapped aluminium – a particularly lightweight and pressure-resistant solution for space travel. The goal is an automated, scalable production in order to increase efficiency, quality and market position in the long term.
(From left to right: Johanna Mikl-Leitner - Governor of the State of Lower Austria, Josef Aschbacher - Director General ESA
(From left to right: Stephan Pernkopf - Deputy of the State of Lower Austria, Johanna Mikl-Leitner - Governor of the State of Lower Austria, Josef Aschbacher - Director General ESA)
At the same time, the programme is being further developed: The current open call for proposals places greater emphasis on economic scalability, industrialization and clear market potential. Internationalisation is also progressing – with targeted activities in the direction of Bratislava, Brno and the border area.
Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency ESA, explains: "ESA Phi-Lab Austria embodies our Strategy 2040, which focuses on innovation, economic relevance and European cooperation. It is an example of how actively Lower Austria is contributing to the future of European space travel.”
Another milestone is the Vienna Airport – TFZ Wiener Neustadt axis, where a co-working and workshop area for space projects is being created. The aim is to develop the airport into an internationally visible innovation location.
(From left to right: Michael Moll - General Director of accent Inkubator GmbH, Johanna Mikl-Leitner - Governor of Lower Austria, Josef Aschbacher - Director General of ESA, Stephan Pernkopf - Deputy of Lower Austria)
Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf, responsible for science and research in the Lower Austrian provincial government, emphasizes the importance of science and research in Lower Austria: "In recent years, Lower Austria has established itself as an excellent location for science and research – from allergy and cancer research to artificial intelligence and space travel. In this way, we show how scientific curiosity can lead to concrete innovations – for the benefit of the people. It is also important that we research and develop key technologies ourselves. After all, those who conduct research here not only strengthen the region, but also the security, independence and future of our country.
(From left to right: Doris Agneter - Managing Director at tecnet equity, Moritz Novak - CEO of Gate Space, Alexander Reissner - CEO & Co-Founder of Enpulsion, Johanna Mikl-Leitner - Governor of Lower Austria, Josef Aschbacher - Director General of ESA, Stephan Pernkopf - Deputy of Lower Austria, Carsten Scharlemann - CEO of R-Space, Michael Moll - Managing Director of accent Inkubator GmbH)
