The first groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Space Campus in Kockelscheuer on Monday, in the presence of Prime Minister Luc Frieden. He called the occasion "a new chapter in the success story", as "NEOS Luxembourg and Belval" is designed to be just a piece of a larger whole.
The Belval location will focus on the research component, while companies from the space sector will be able to settle in Kockelscheuer, in the municipality of Roeser.
The ParcLuxite innovation park will also get a new look and new orientation with the Space Campus, explained proud mayor Tom Jungen.
ParkLuxite is a good example of the country's development and its economy over the past 120 years. Frieden also gave a brief history and said that over 40 years ago, no one would have thought that a company would develop a whole new sector. But they succeeded.
The NEOS Space Campus is the next step in the government's space strategy. Space is not just research, but part of everyday life: "We notice that satellites are needed in all areas, for climate protection, navigation, communication, and of course in defence." Luxembourg wants to make its contribution, Frieden emphasised.
"We want to focus on new technologies and innovative companies in Luxembourg, to make it attractive to others who can support it. For that, we need a long-term vision, we need investments. Above all, we also need an environment in which companies have research and innovation that develop, support, and strengthen each other."
SES will also open a production facility on the same site.
"The planned new production facility in Kockelscheuer adds more dimension, in my eyes. From a business operating satellites, to a business developing and producing its own satellites."
More details can be found on the ministries' websites.
