The Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA) and the Zurich Innovation Park Foundation have, together with Space Florida – the authority of the U.S. State of Florida for space financing and development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 17 at the Paris Air Show. The aim of the agreement is to establish a hub for trade, logistics, research, innovation, and education between Florida and Switzerland and Liechtenstein for the European region, according to the CSA.
The collaboration will focus on biotechnology, biomedicine, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), data, and materials sciences. The agreement includes the establishment of a transatlantic network for trade, logistics, research, innovation, and education, as well as the use of the civil aviation infrastructure at Dübendorf airfield. Furthermore, the partners grant each other access to infrastructures, services, expertise, and test facilities, including parabolic flights from Dübendorf. In addition, the partners aim to facilitate cross-border activities.
Active Airfield and Innovation Park
The Dübendorf
airfield and the Zurich Innovation Park offer, according to the announcement, a unique New Space infrastructure: an active airfield with existing research flights and an innovation park with direct airfield access. The space and aviation expertise bundled in the CSA with leading universities is also decisive.
"The establishment of a European Space Hub for Space Florida enables the connection and integration of the Greater Zurich area up to the Rhine Valley into the global value chains of the space
industry," said Professor Oliver Ullrich, Chairman CSA and Director UZH Space Hub. According to the information provided, Space Florida, CSA, and the Zurich Innovation Park are now laying the foundation for the new era of the Space Economy at the Dübendorf site – the birthplace of Swiss aviation.
On June 23, a joint working group will begin its work to coordinate the implementation of the cooperation. The kick-off meeting will take place in Hangar 4 at the Innovation Park.
