ETH Workshop: Dual Use of Space

On 30 January 2015, representatives from the Swiss government, politics, military, and academia met to discuss the civil and military use of space and the importance of space-based systems for Switzerland.

The more space is used for reconnaissance, navigation, earth observation, and communication, the more dependencies arise that also affect Swiss security policy. These dependencies are problematic because satellites are very vulnerable.

In a first panel, Kai-Uwe Schrogl European Space Agency (ESA) and Daniel Neuenschwander (Swiss Space Office) introduced into security aspects of space. Questions addressed included: How is space policies governed internationally? What does the increasing use of outer space for Switzerland?

A second panel with Stefan Brem (FOCP), Jan Schmidt (Swiss Re), and Martin Reber (DDPS) focused on space systems as critical infrastructure and the consequences for Switzerland, if space-based systems failed.

A third panel with Peter Guggenbach (RUAG Space), Daniel Neuenschwander (Swiss Space Office), and Wolfgang Hoz (Swiss Air Force) debated the following questions: What does the increasing militarization of space mean for Swiss neutrality policy? What potential does the Swiss Army see in space-based systems? How can the Swiss industry successfully continue its niche strategy?