12. November 2024

A Historic Swiss Airfield Transitions to a Future-Focused Hub for Space Innovation

Switzerland’s position in the international aerospace sector

Switzerland has played a pivotal role in space exploration since the dawn of the space age, leveraging over 60 years of expertise and commitment to the sector. This rich heritage began with Swiss contributions to some of humanity’s most iconic space missions. Swiss scientists were instrumental in European space programs as early as 1968, and the University of Bern's solar wind experiment famously accompanied Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon in 1969.

As a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT, Switzerland’s participation in international space organizations enables vital contributions to European space autonomy and pioneering research.

Swiss astronauts further cement this legacy. Claude Nicollier, the first Swiss astronaut, flew his first mission in 1992 and participated in four spaceflights, including Hubble Telescope maintenance. Now an honorary professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Nicollier continues to inspire future space scientists. His successor, Marco Sieber, was selected by ESA in 2022, bringing expertise as a doctor, pilot, and skydiver to future missions, potentially to the ISS or the Moon.

Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich

The construction of one of Europe’s largest innovation campuses has officially begun in the Greater Zurich Area: Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich (IPZ). Spanning 70 hectares—equivalent to 90 soccer fields—this vibrant hub, located adjacent to Switzerland’s historic first military airfield in Dübendorf, will host numerous state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to research, development, and collaboration between academia and industry. Upon completion, it is expected to generate 15,000 jobs. >>>

Dübendorf Airfield - A Legacy of Innovation

The Dübendorf airfield adds a distinctive value to IPZ, with its apron and runway accessible to the park’s community members. Established in 1910, this airfield holds a pivotal place in Switzerland’s aviation history. Originally a center for pilot training and aircraft testing, it expanded to civil aviation in the 1920s, hosting some of the country’s earliest passenger flights. Over the decades, it has played a significant role in aerospace research and innovation.

Today, the airfield’s heritage-protected hangars serve as a bridge between Dübendorf’s pioneering past and the cutting-edge advancements of the modern era. Within the Greater Zurich Area, academic institutions, start-ups, and global partners collaborate to drive forward aerospace science, cementing the region’s reputation as a global leader in technology and innovation.

Key figures within Zurich’s space ecosystem

The University of Zurich’s Space Hub, directed by Dr. Oliver Ullrich, plays a vital role in advancing aerospace science and biotechnology within the Greater Zurich Area, nationally in Switzerland, and internationally. In September 2024, the UZH Space Hub inaugurated Hangar 4 at Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich.

The hub offers unique resources, including Europe’s only R&D flight program with access to a full-scale airfield. Ullrich, a renowned expert in space life sciences, has been instrumental in advancing aerospace medicine and biotechnology and was awarded the prestigious Life Sciences Award from the International Academy of Astronautics in 2023.

The Swiss Parabolic Flight Program of UZH Space Hub advances microgravity research, enabling weightlessness experiments that enhance understanding in fields such as biology, materials science, and physics. Collaborations with ESA and NASA further demonstrate international contributions to space research. For a full list of the infrastructure and platforms provided by UZH Space Hub, please consult their web page.

Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, Swiss-American astrophysicist and former NASA mission director, where he has overseen missions including the Mars Perseverance Rover and the James Webb Space Telescope, heads space initiatives at ETH Zurich | Space. In 2024, he introduced a master’s program in space science and technology with the aim to train future space leaders.

ETH Zurich advances innovation in space research, spearheading initiatives exemplified by the Large Interferometer for Exoplanets (LIFE) and contributing to groundbreaking instruments, notably the James Webb Space Telescope's MIRI. Robots, including Spacebok and SpaceHopper, push the boundaries of locomotion for exploration, while satellite-based forest monitoring bolsters biodiversity and climate research efforts.

With contributions from 15 of its 16 departments in the space sector, and over 20 spin-offs participating in ESA programs, ETH Zurich stands at the forefront of space science. Its researchers have secured 20 ESA contracts in three years, and its space publications are referenced 2-3 times more frequently than those of other leading institutions.

ETH Zurich I Space also supports the Swiss Academic Spaceflight Initiative (ARIS), empowering students with hands-on experience in rocketry and satellite design. This team is located in one of the airfield hangars on the IPZ campus.

The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), another core institution within our ecosystem, drives materials science innovation for extreme space environments.

Switzerland’s vision

Switzerland’s updated space policy, revised in 2023, aligns with the dynamic global space sector. By supporting researchers, promoting knowledge transfer, and fostering young talent, the policy ensures Switzerland remains a leader in space exploration and innovation. Key goals include bolstering the global competitiveness of Swiss space companies, supporting space projects with commercial potential, and driving economic growth.

For further information about the offerings and services within the space sector at Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, please contact our Relationship Manager: Fabienne Kiener, PhD