Saxony and Thuringia advance in the space sector

The German government sees the German aerospace industry as a strategic field of high-tech research. "Many innovations are created here that we can no longer imagine our everyday lives without and that are also essential for competitiveness and economic growth," said Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) in a welcoming address to the German Aerospace Regions Day, which took place in Dresden this year.

Federal government wants to keep the industry at the forefront of global technology

According to Bär, Germany is a world leader in this sector. Above all, the federal government needs to think even more closely about research and industry in this field in order to keep the sector strong, crisis-proof and, above all, more independent in the future. "Many new ideas and concepts as well as innovative start-ups are created wherever research and companies work well together. We must harness and promote this strength in order to remain a world leader."

Thuringia and Saxony in the spotlight at this year's industry meeting

The 19th German Aerospace Regions Day put Saxony and Thuringia in the spotlight on Thursday. A good 380 representatives from politics, industry, science and research came together on the gallery level of Dresden Airport to discuss developments and prospects for the industry. The event was organized by the Federal Association of the German Aerospace Industry (BDLI) together with the Aerospace Network Saxony/Thuringia (LRT).

Saxony's head of government Michael Kretschmer (CDU) pointed out the importance of the industry in the Free State. With around 7,000 employees and an annual turnover of 1.4 billion euros, it is an important economic factor. Marie-Christine von Hahn, Managing Director of the BDLI, believes that networking between companies is crucial if Germany is to maintain its leading position. More than 40 companies presented their products and technologies at an exhibition.

The BDLI represents the interests of more than 260 member companies with a total of 120,000 direct employees and a total annual turnover of around 52 billion euros.

On the fringes of the event, it was announced that Saxon companies want to send their own small satellite into space - as proof of their own capabilities. Around five million euros are needed for the development, LRT board member Wolfgang Göhler told the "Sächsische Zeitung" newspaper.