[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/slider-comunicacio.jpg” max_height=”130px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”24px||11px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Unitats de recerca” module_class=”ieec-orgs” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700||on|||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”|700|||||||” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_font_size_phone=”26px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoiY3VzdG9tX21ldGFfb3JnYW5pemFjaW9uZXMiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImVuYWJsZV9odG1sIjoib2ZmIn19@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title author=”off” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”T\u00edtol i data” module_class=”ieec-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Cairo|300|||||||” title_font_size=”40px” meta_font=”||on||||||” meta_font_size=”16px” title_font_size_tablet=”35px” title_font_size_phone=”30px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text admin_label=”Subt\u00edtols” module_class=”ieec-summary” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Source Sans Pro||on||||||” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.1em” text_font_size_tablet=”22px” text_font_size_phone=”20px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title title=”off” meta=”off” module_class=”ieec-img-container” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” border_width_top=”10px” border_color_top=”#406fda” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-img-footer” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The event featured a presentation on the evolution of the space sector by Xavier Benedicto, advisor to the Directorate General for Resilience and Security at the European Space Agency (ESA).\u00a0IEEC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In 2026, the <\/span>Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia<\/span><\/a> (IEEC) reaches three decades of existence. Founded in 1996 as a non-profit foundation, the Institute has established itself as a benchmark centre for research and innovation in space sciences and technologies. It also acts as the main driver and international representative of Catalonia\u2019s space sector within the framework of the <\/span>Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy<\/span><\/a>, promoted by the Government of Catalonia.<\/span><\/p>\n Today, Sala Moragues at Mercat del Born in Barcelona hosted the celebration event to mark the 30th anniversary of the Institute. The event gathered more than 100 guests, including representatives from the Government of Catalonia and public administrations, such as the Minister for <\/span>Research and Universities<\/span><\/a>\u2014who is also president of the IEEC board of trustees\u2014, N\u00faria Montserrat; the mayor of Sant Esteve de la Sarga, Jordi Navarra; and the Secretary for Digital Policies of the Ministry of <\/span>Business and Labour<\/span><\/a>, Maria Galindo. Prominent institutional figures in the space sector also attended, including Xavier Benedicto, Advisor to the Directorate General for Resilience and Security at the <\/span>European Space Agency<\/span><\/a> (ESA).<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The event also counted on the presence of the director general of Research, Teresa Sanchis, alongside other representatives from academia and industry, as well as research, technical, and management staff from the IEEC.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”section-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”25px” header_2_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The celebration event for the IEEC’s 30th anniversary, conducted by Ana Montaner, head of Communication of the Institute, highlighted both the IEEC’s role as a research and innovation centre and its work in promoting Catalonia’s space sector, acting as the driving entity representing the sector under the Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n On the one hand, the IEEC focuses its efforts on studying the cosmos and Earth as a planet through a robust research<\/a>, development, and innovation<\/a> (R&D&I) programme within scientific missions and projects. The Institute participates in and holds high-level responsibilities across multiple space missions and ground-based instrumentation facilities. Research lines developed at the IEEC cover three major domains: astrophysics and cosmology, Earth observation and navigation, and space technology.<\/span><\/p>\n On the other hand, the Institute contributes to <\/span>strengthening the Catalan space ecosystem<\/strong><\/span><\/a> by launching satellite missions, developing innovation and industrial growth programmes, fostering talent, and driving high-value services based on space technologies. In this regard, the IEEC promotes the internationalisation of the sector, aiming to expand industrial capabilities and international collaboration while maintaining a firm commitment to social responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n During his address, Xavier Luri, director of the IEEC, reviewed the Institute’s trajectory from its inception to the present day, as well as its medium-term horizon. The remarkable growth experienced by the IEEC in recent years is reflected across all key metrics. By way of example in research output, while the research team published 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals in 2000, that figure exceeded 642 articles by 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG_1613_r-2.jpg” title_text=”IMG_1613_r” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-img-footer” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n N\u00faria Montserrat, Ministry for Research and Universities, welcomed the audience at the ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of the IEEC<\/span>. IEEC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG_1660-r.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-img-footer” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Xavier Luri, director of the IEEC, presented the Institute with a look towards the future<\/span>. IEEC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n For his part, Xavier Benedicto outlined the evolution of the space sector in the world, with a special focus in Europe, where public budgets reached \u20ac13.5 billion in 2025 (a 12% increase year-on-year).<\/span><\/p>\n In turn, Josep Colom\u00e9, director of the Area for the Promotion of the Space Sector of Catalonia (APEC) at the IEEC, detailed initiatives to boost the Catalan space ecosystem. These include the creation of infrastructure (<\/span>Sant Esteve Teleport<\/span><\/a>, rocket engine test bench), the coordination of programmes such as <\/span>ESA Phi-Lab Spain<\/span><\/a>, and an international presence at key industry events like the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) or Space Tech Expo Europe, held annually in Bremen (Germany). Furthermore, Kike Herrero, director of the <\/span>Montsec Observatory<\/span><\/a>, highlighted the project for the new Jordi Torra Telescope, featuring a 2.5-metre mirror and an investment exceeding \u20ac20 million, aiming to become one of the world’s largest robotic telescopes by 2030.<\/span><\/p>\n The event also featured multi-voice formats that once again illustrated the two main pillars of the IEEC’s activity.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n On the one hand, a round table focused on <\/span>research from an IEEC perspective was held, moderated by Pepa Sed\u00f3, head of the IEEC Development and Innovation Office, with contributions from the directors of the Institute’s various research units:<\/p>\n On the other hand, the programme concluded with a round table on the Catalan space ecosystem, moderated by Daniel Sors, head of the IEEC Services and Industrial Promotion Office. Dedicated to industrial strategy, technology transfer, and industry needs and opportunities, the panel featured representatives from leading companies:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-sub-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Image gallery<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”49927,49929,49930,49984,49931,49932,49933,49934,49935,49936,49985,49986″ show_title_and_caption=”off” zoom_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(26,17,64,0.6)” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|||on|||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#1a1140″ title_font_size=”13px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contactes” module_class=”ieec-sub-title” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Contacts<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||20px|false|false” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#406fda” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.1em” link_font=”|700|||on|||#1a1140|” link_text_color=”#1a1140″ link_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#1a1140″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nAn overview of the IEEC and the space sector<\/h2>\n
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IEEC Communication Office<\/h4>\n