„The Center for Space and Aviation is far more than a mere research collaboration—it embodies the vision and mission to shape the New Space Economy for future generations.”

(Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Stark)

Center for Space and Aviation 
Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA)

The CSA is a growing alliance of partners formed in the era of the New Space Economy. Our foundation is built on the conviction that cooperation and complementarity are far more powerful than direct competition, and vastly more effective than working in silos.
Partners
Cell
Cell

CSA

The CSA operates for and in strategic partnership with the Canton of Zurich and as a partner of Space Innovation Switzerland. We are a broad coalition of established institutions in German-speaking Switzerland and Liechtenstein, spanning complementary areas of research, teaching, innovation, and utilization. Our activities align closely with Switzerland’s long-term strategic vision for space, research, and innovation—as set out in the Swiss Federal Council’s Swiss Space Strategy—and are firmly embedded in international cooperation. The CSA will help to overcome the fragmentation of the space sector in German-speaking Switzerland and unites the space areas under one roof in a common structure for national and international academic and industrial cooperation.

Space Valley

A “Space Valley” is emerging in the Greater Zurich Area. Dübendorf and its Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich define a physical and virtual hub for a variety of technology sectors and supporting ecosystems within a 50-mile radius of downtown Zurich. The airfield system enables economic bridges and trade routes between Europe and the USA for the New Space Economy.Our partners from Liechtenstein strengthen the New Space Economy in the Greater Zurich Area with a strategic location at the heart of Europe, close to Zurich and other innovation hubs. Its customs union with Switzerland and EEA membership provide efficient access to both Swiss and EU markets. An innovation-driven economy with strong SMEs and industrial capabilities supports technology and digital development, while a stable, competitive tax system offers planning security. Finally, a flexible, space-experienced administration and fast approvals under the Space Act make it especially attractive for space-sector companies.

Key advantages of Zurich – Greater Zurich Area – Switzerland

  • Since 2011, ranked 1st in the Global Innovation Index
  • Established exchange between academic institutions and the private sector
  • 1st place in the Talent Index (INSEAD Global Talent Competitiveness Index, IMD World Talent Ranking)
  • 1st place in the Human Freedom Index (Fraser Institute 2023)
  • 1st place in the Industrial Location Index (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft 2021)
  • 1st place in the WEF Global Competitiveness Report
  • 2nd place in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking
  • Political stability and armed neutrality
  • Pragmatic regulations and service-oriented administrations
  • Excellent infrastructure
  • Zurich is an international, tolerant, and multicultural city (over 30% of Zurich's residents are not Swiss citizens)
  • English is the most frequently used non-national language in Switzerland, regularly used by almost half the population
  • The Greater Zurich Area leads in economic sectors that will benefit most from production in low Earth orbits in the coming years: biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and semiconductors. In the Biotech/MedTech sector alone, there are 1,750 companies with 84,000 employees and an annual revenue of 27.6 billion CHF.