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Portugal joining ESA was a determinant factor for a dynamic and competitive, albeit small, industrial and technological sector to flourish. The Portuguese Space sector is made of by companies with strong technological competencies and by R&D institutions capable of developing innovative technologies with Space applicability. Portuguese Space sector companies benefit from the high degree of internationalization derived from the pan-european effort of ESA and EU space programmes.
The FCT Space Office collected the contributions of the main industrial and academic actors that comprise the national space sector in the Portuguese Space Catalogue.
Lisbon was the host of European Space Expo from November 28th to December 9th 2013.
Portugal participated in the exhibition by creating an interactive kiosk, coordinated by FCT’s Space Office, presenting Portuguese activities within the space industry sector and the institutions involved in their production, from companies to higher education institutions, in the following domains:
One of its main conclusions identifies a spin-off factor of 2 for the Portuguese investment in ESA space programmes. This key-indicator, calculated in a conservative fashion, means that each million Euro invested in ESA space programmes generates an added benefit of one million Euros for the Portuguese space sector.
Similar studies carried at European level show a corresponding spin-off factor between 4 and 5, which demonstrates the growth potential of the space sector in Portugal.
This study also concludes on the important contribution of the Portuguese space sector to the technological development of Portugal achieved through promoted international connections and through the catalysis of innovation processes based on the collaboration between companies and academia.
Download the final version: Survey of the Economic Impact of Portugal's Participation in ESA (2000-2009).