Angela Aragon-Angel, Scientific Coordinator of the SpaceSUITE project, attended the Space Economy Congress 2026, which took place at La Llotja de Mar in Barcelona on July 9 and 10.

The congress serves as the flagship event for the Catalan space ecosystem, organized by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Catalonia, with the collaboration of key institutions including the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), the i2CAT Research Centre, and the KIMbcn Foundation. This year’s edition is a critical platform for discussing the evolution of the space sector from “NewSpace” to a mature, strategic infrastructure with a tangible impact on the economy and society.

SpaceSUITE’s participation focused on one of the space sector’s most pressing challenges: bridging the skills gap. During the congress, Angela Aragon-Angel held a series of strategic bilateral meetings with key organisations to explore potential synergies, exchange complementary perspectives, and strengthen collaboration across the European space skills ecosystem.

The discussions underscored the importance of a cohesive and forward-looking approach to workforce development. By connecting the dots between research institutions, innovation centers, and skills alliances, SpaceSUITE is reinforcing its commitment to the objectives of the EU’s Pact for Skills and the European Skills Agenda. The participation of spaceSUITE at the Space Economy Congress 2026 marks a significant step in advancing the skills agenda at the heart of Europe’s growing space economy.