Space technology made in Austria for greater flight safety Another example of Austria's innovative strength; Austria's ESA contribution has an impact
In autumn 2025, reports emerged concerning an allegedly intentionally induced disruption of the satellite-based navigation system during a flight involving EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, capturing the public's attention. This incident highlighted two imminent threats to modern aviation: spoofing and jamming.
The space company GATE Space is now stepping forward to find a solution to this problem with a satellite developed in Austria. GATE Space develops highly precise chemical propulsion systems that enable satellites to navigate with precision and flexibility in orbit. As part of the “BEACONSAT” project, GATE Space's technology will be launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket in February 2027.
The engines have been tested at the location at Vienna Airport in over 8,000 successful hot-run tests under atmospheric conditions and in one of Europe's most advanced and powerful vacuum chambers. The Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) supported the company through Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) with funding amounting to approximately 750,000 euros.
For Federal Minister Peter Hanke, who paid a visit to GATE Space at Vienna Airport, GATE Space is a prime example of Austria's innovative strength. “GATE Space was founded by graduates of TU Vienna in 2022 and today ranks among the fastest-growing new-space players in Europe. The team around CEO Moritz Novak has reached the top with a good deal of creativity, courage, and business acumen. Now with participation in the BEACONSAT project, it is also making an important contribution towards finding solutions against spoofing and jamming, thus ensuring safe aviation. For me as Federal Minister for Innovation, infrastructure, aviation, and space, it is an enormously important subject for several reasons.”
In this context, Hanke recalled the increase in the Austrian contribution to ESA: “Despite the difficult budgetary situation, it has been possible to increase the contribution from 260 to 340 million euros through reallocations within my ministry. Combined with the industry strategy in which aerospace technologies are defined as one of nine key technologies and strengths, this constitutes targeted support for one of the most rapidly growing economic sectors in our country.”