What does the future hold for the Swiss space ecosystem, and how can the next generation of talents contribute to shaping it?
Space Exchange Switzerland (SXS) Career, with the support of the University of Bern, invites participants to an exclusive career event bringing together leading figures from the Swiss and European space sectors.
Beyond career opportunities, this event aims to connect and strengthen the Swiss space talents. Starting with inspirational pitches from high-level speakers, the event will open discussions on The Future of the Swiss Space Ecosystem, giving participants the opportunity to share perspectives on carrer opportunities, exchange experiences and explore the key challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.
Thursday, 26 November 2026
University of Bern, Switzerland
| First part of the event (on invitation only): The Future of the Swiss Space Ecosystem, organized by SXS Career 17:30-20:30 | This exclusive segment is reserved for Swiss professionals under 30 active in the space sector. If you meet these criteria, please request your personal invitation at career@space-exchange.ch. Your attendance will be reviewed by the SXS Career Team, who will confirm your participation by email. |
| Second part of the event (Open to everyone): Switzerland in Space, organized by the University of Bern 20:30 – 22:00 | Open to everyone, but registration is mandatory. Limited capacity – places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration here |
The first part of the event, The Future of the Swiss Space Ecosystem, is organized by SXS Career.
Featuring Swiss ESA astronauts Marco Sieber and Claude Nicollier, alongside representatives of the Swiss Space Office and the European Space Agency (ESA), the first part of the event will offer a unique opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the space sector, explore career pathways and engage directly with experienced professionals.
Through a keynote address, a high-level panel discussion and interactive small-group sessions, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn more about the opportunities available to the next generation of Swiss space professionals.
Programme (subject to change)
📍UniBE, Room 114
- 17:30-17:40 Welcome Addresses, by:
- Prof. Christoph Mordasini, Director Space Research & Planetary Sciences (WP) at University of Bern
- Grégoire Bourban, Head of Space Exchange Switzerland
- 17:40-17:50 Keynote by Marco Sieber, Swiss ESA Astronaut
- 17:50-18:30 Panel with:
- Marco Sieber, Swiss Astronaut at ESA
- Claude Nicollier, Former Swiss Astronaut at ESA
- Catherine Kropf, Director of the Swiss Space Office
- Nigel Savage, ESA Entry-Level Programmes Coordinator
- Grégoire Bourban, Head of Space Exchange Switzerland (Moderator)
📍UniBE, Rooms 105, 115, 117
- 18:30-19:45 Small group tables / interactive sessions
- Table: Marco Sieber and Claude Nicollier, Swiss ESA Astronauts
- Table: Catherine Kropf, Director of the Swiss Space Office
- Table: Nigel Savage, ESA Entry-Level Programmes Coordinator, and Johann Richard, Head of ESA ESDI in Switzerland
- Table: Claudia Röösli, Head of NPOC, and Julien Bonnaud, Industrial Relations at Space Exchange Switzerland
- 19:50-20:30 Networking Apero
The second part of the event, “Switzerland in Space”, organized by the University of Bern.
What does the future hold for Switzerland in space? What role does our country play in international spaceflight and space research? And what opportunities are opening up for research, technology, and society?
Four prominent figures from the fields of spaceflight, science, and politics will come together: Swiss ESA astronaut Marco Sieber, the first Swiss astronaut Prof. Claude Nicollier, Catherine Kropf, Director of the Swiss Space Office, and Prof. Brice-Olivier Demory from the Center for Space and Habitability at the University of Bern.
In a keynote presentation, Marco Sieber will provide insights into the world of human spaceflight. Following this, the guests will discuss Swiss space activities, their significance, and future prospects. An evening featuring exciting insights, personal experiences, and visionary ideas about Switzerland in space.
Programme (subject to change)
📍UniBE, Main Building, Aula (2. Etage)
- 20:30 Opening Remarks by Prof. Virginia Richter, Rector of the University of Bern
- 20:40 Keynote Presentation by Marco Sieber, Swiss ESA Astronaut
- 21:00: Forum Discussion between:
- Catherine Kropf, Head of the Swiss Space Office (SSO),
- Prof. Claude Nicollier, Former Swiss Astronaut at ESA
- Marco Sieber, Swiss Astronaut at ESA
- Prof. Brice-Olivier Demory, Center for Space and Habitability at the University of Bern,
- Prof. Christoph Mordasini (Moderation), Head of Division Space Research & Planetary Sciences at the University of Bern
- 21:45 End of the Event
The event will take place in German.
For more information, please go the organizer website here
Both events, « The Future of the Swiss Space Ecosystem » and « Switzerland in Space » will take place at the University of Bern.
Click here to have access to the address on Google Maps.
We look forward to meeting you there!