Schwechat space hub secures €9.6 million extension

ESA Phi-Lab Austria, a space technology hub at Vienna Airport in Schwechat, will continue beyond its first funding period, with €9.6 million allocated for 2028 to 2031, ORF reports.

The European Space Agency (ESA), the state of Lower Austria and the federal government launched the hub in 2024. Its first four years received €11.2 million in funding. The new allocation includes €4.4 million from Lower Austria and €5.2 million from ESA, which is funded indirectly through the infrastructure ministry.

The hub focuses on upstream technologies, including hardware and software for satellites and spacecraft. It has held four calls for projects, receiving more than 150 submissions from across Europe and selecting 13 projects. Three have been completed. The hub also reports that 10 space companies have set up at the location, creating 75 jobs.

ESA Director Josef Aschbacher said 10 national ESA Phi-Labs have now been established in Europe. He described them as “living organisms” and said more could be created in cooperation with host countries and with funding secured.

Vienna Airport board member Günther Ofner said the airport sees space technology as a future growth sector. Once the Office Park 4 Next construction project is complete, Office Park 2 will also be fully available to support the development of space companies.

The first Austrian Space Days conference is being held at the hub through Thursday, alongside the newly established Space Factory. The factory is intended to help develop and test prototypes. Lower Austria also plans to create a “Space Region Lower Austria” umbrella brand to better connect developments in Seibersdorf, Wiener Neustadt and Schwechat.