Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ASTRAIOS (Analysis of Skills, Training, Research, And Innovation Opportunities in Space)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2025-12-31
ASTRAIOS is a Horizon Europe project working to identify the existing space-related education and training across Europe, project future demand for space skills from the European space industry and identify actions to align and improve the career pathways into the sector. This will foster innovation and increase EU competitiveness in the space sector.
A core achievement of ASTRAIOS was the creation of a structured and searchable online catalogue of space-related education and training programmes. The project mapped 140 degree programmes, 19 PhD programmes, and 58 continuing education courses, covering a total of 3,854 individual courses. These were systematically classified into 28 Knowledge Domains and 106 Knowledge Areas through the development of the European Taxonomy of Space Knowledge (EU-TaSK).
In parallel, ASTRAIOS conducted a detailed analysis of future trends and technological priorities in the European space sector. National space strategies across the EU-27 and the UK, as well as ESA roadmaps, were reviewed to identify emerging scientific and technological directions over the next 10–15 years. Key domains such as Earth Observation, satellite communications and navigation, launch systems, space safety, and deep-space exploration were analysed in depth. Complementary industry insights were gathered through surveys and stakeholder consultations, providing a comprehensive picture of applications, services, supporting technologies, and market dynamics.
A major component of the project focused on workforce demand and skills evolution. Through quantitative surveys, analysis of CVs, job adverts, and LinkedIn Talent Insights data, ASTRAIOS established a longitudinal dataset covering almost 20 years of skills supply and demand trends. The analysis confirmed strong demand for highly educated technical profiles, particularly in software and data, systems engineering, and emerging digital domains such as AI. At the same time, it revealed structural imbalances, including an oversupply in some traditional engineering domains and a relative under-representation of non-technical skills compared to labour-market demand. The findings also highlighted geographical concentration of the workforce in a small number of countries, mobility patterns within Europe, and the limited evidence of a short-term retirement wave.
ASTRAIOS went beyond technical skills analysis by systematically addressing transversal competences and new ways of working. A dedicated workshop with HR and talent management representatives from leading space organisations identified critical soft skills, including communication, teamwork, adaptability, creative thinking, and problem-solving. These insights informed the design and implementation of a European Space Boot Camp delivered to students and early-career professionals. To ensure scalability and long-term impact, an online course on Soft Skills and New Ways of Working was developed, making structured soft skills training openly accessible across Europe.
The project also addressed Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) dimensions within the space entrepreneurship ecosystem. Through a peer-to-peer learning process involving start-ups, SMEs and established companies, ASTRAIOS mapped ESG practices, skills gaps and emerging trends. This work resulted in a comprehensive ESG report and a dedicated ESG Space Industry Practices Book, showcasing real-world case studies and linking industry needs to educational provision. The initiative strengthened awareness of sustainability, corporate responsibility and governance as integral components of future workforce development.
Geographical disparities and student mobility were analysed in depth. The project identified a strong concentration of space curricula in Western Europe and underrepresentation in parts of Eastern and Southern Europe, contributing to brain drain and uneven opportunity distribution. These findings were complemented by data on workforce migration, mobility drivers, and regional imbalances, providing a nuanced understanding of Europe’s space skills geography.
EDI were addressed through surveys, stakeholder engagement and the development of a pilot mentoring programme pairing mid-career professionals with space-sector mentors. The initiative demonstrated strong demand for structured mentoring and highlighted the importance of inclusive practices in attracting and retaining talent, particularly women and underrepresented groups.
Finally, ASTRAIOS consolidated its findings into a comprehensive gap analysis and a set of targeted recommendations addressing policymakers, universities, industry actors and individuals.
In parallel, ASTRAIOS conducted a detailed analysis of future trends and technological priorities in the European space sector. National space strategies across the EU-27 and the UK, as well as ESA roadmaps, were reviewed to identify emerging scientific and technological directions over the next 10–15 years. Key domains such as Earth Observation, satellite communications and navigation, launch systems, space safety, and deep-space exploration were analysed in depth. Complementary industry insights were gathered through surveys and stakeholder consultations, providing a comprehensive picture of applications, services, supporting technologies, and market dynamics.
A major component of the project focused on workforce demand and skills evolution. Through quantitative surveys, analysis of CVs, job adverts, and LinkedIn Talent Insights data, ASTRAIOS established a longitudinal dataset covering almost 20 years of skills supply and demand trends. The analysis confirmed strong demand for highly educated technical profiles, particularly in software and data, systems engineering, and emerging digital domains such as AI. At the same time, it revealed structural imbalances, including an oversupply in some traditional engineering domains and a relative under-representation of non-technical skills compared to labour-market demand. The findings also highlighted geographical concentration of the workforce in a small number of countries, mobility patterns within Europe, and the limited evidence of a short-term retirement wave.
ASTRAIOS went beyond technical skills analysis by systematically addressing transversal competences and new ways of working. A dedicated workshop with HR and talent management representatives from leading space organisations identified critical soft skills, including communication, teamwork, adaptability, creative thinking, and problem-solving. These insights informed the design and implementation of a European Space Boot Camp delivered to students and early-career professionals. To ensure scalability and long-term impact, an online course on Soft Skills and New Ways of Working was developed, making structured soft skills training openly accessible across Europe.
The project also addressed Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) dimensions within the space entrepreneurship ecosystem. Through a peer-to-peer learning process involving start-ups, SMEs and established companies, ASTRAIOS mapped ESG practices, skills gaps and emerging trends. This work resulted in a comprehensive ESG report and a dedicated ESG Space Industry Practices Book, showcasing real-world case studies and linking industry needs to educational provision. The initiative strengthened awareness of sustainability, corporate responsibility and governance as integral components of future workforce development.
Geographical disparities and student mobility were analysed in depth. The project identified a strong concentration of space curricula in Western Europe and underrepresentation in parts of Eastern and Southern Europe, contributing to brain drain and uneven opportunity distribution. These findings were complemented by data on workforce migration, mobility drivers, and regional imbalances, providing a nuanced understanding of Europe’s space skills geography.
EDI were addressed through surveys, stakeholder engagement and the development of a pilot mentoring programme pairing mid-career professionals with space-sector mentors. The initiative demonstrated strong demand for structured mentoring and highlighted the importance of inclusive practices in attracting and retaining talent, particularly women and underrepresented groups.
Finally, ASTRAIOS consolidated its findings into a comprehensive gap analysis and a set of targeted recommendations addressing policymakers, universities, industry actors and individuals.
• Comprehensive European Space Education Catalogue delivered a structured, searchable online database as a long-term legacy tool.
• European Taxonomy of Space Knowledge (EU-TaSK) provided a common reference framework for future skills mapping.
• Future Trends & Technology Analysis identified priority domains: Earth Observation, satellite communications, navigation, launch systems, space safety, human and robotic exploration. Anticipated growing demand in digitalisation, AI, data-driven applications, and climate services.
• Workforce Demand & Skills Intelligence confirmed high demand for highly educated technical profiles and identified structural imbalances: oversupply in some traditional engineering fields, underrepresentation of non-technical skills relative to demand. Strong geographic concentration of the workforce in a few countries. Found no evidence of an imminent large-scale retirement wave.
• Soft Skills & New Ways of Working identified critical transversal skills: communication, teamwork, adaptability, creative thinking, leadership. Delivered a European Space Boot Camp and developed an open-access online course.
• Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Integration produced an ESG report and ESG Space Industry Practices Book and raised awareness of ESG as a competitiveness and talent-retention factor.
• Geographical Gaps & Mobility Analysis identified concentration of space education programmes in Western Europe, under-representation in parts of Eastern and Southern Europe. Analysed workforce mobility and brain-drain patterns and provided evidence to support more balanced regional development.
• EDI designed and piloted a European mentoring programme
• Gap Analysis & Policy Recommendations integrated education, labour market, demographic and mobility data to identify persistent skills gaps (digital/data skills, interdisciplinary roles, lifelong learning). Delivered targeted recommendations for policymakers, universities and educators, industry, and individuals entering the sector.
• European Taxonomy of Space Knowledge (EU-TaSK) provided a common reference framework for future skills mapping.
• Future Trends & Technology Analysis identified priority domains: Earth Observation, satellite communications, navigation, launch systems, space safety, human and robotic exploration. Anticipated growing demand in digitalisation, AI, data-driven applications, and climate services.
• Workforce Demand & Skills Intelligence confirmed high demand for highly educated technical profiles and identified structural imbalances: oversupply in some traditional engineering fields, underrepresentation of non-technical skills relative to demand. Strong geographic concentration of the workforce in a few countries. Found no evidence of an imminent large-scale retirement wave.
• Soft Skills & New Ways of Working identified critical transversal skills: communication, teamwork, adaptability, creative thinking, leadership. Delivered a European Space Boot Camp and developed an open-access online course.
• Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Integration produced an ESG report and ESG Space Industry Practices Book and raised awareness of ESG as a competitiveness and talent-retention factor.
• Geographical Gaps & Mobility Analysis identified concentration of space education programmes in Western Europe, under-representation in parts of Eastern and Southern Europe. Analysed workforce mobility and brain-drain patterns and provided evidence to support more balanced regional development.
• EDI designed and piloted a European mentoring programme
• Gap Analysis & Policy Recommendations integrated education, labour market, demographic and mobility data to identify persistent skills gaps (digital/data skills, interdisciplinary roles, lifelong learning). Delivered targeted recommendations for policymakers, universities and educators, industry, and individuals entering the sector.