MALAGA. From the 17th to 19th of February, Malaga will host a new edition of the Small Satellites & Services International Forum (SSSIF), the benchmark forum for the space sector that brings together the main international agencies to develop the main challenges facing the national and international space sector in the current geopolitical context.
For the 2026 edition, the forum expects to bring together more than 190 companies linked to the space sector and more than 500 experts from more than 20 countries from European and international space agencies, research centres and public institutions. Under the slogan “Secure communications and other dual technologies”, it will address essential aspects of the technological and industrial capacities that need to be developed in Spain and Europe to face the challenges imposed by the current geopolitical situation. Likewise, it will also focus its theme on the strategic autonomy of the old continent in the space field, reducing dependencies and increasing the reliability of its systems; and in the capacities that it needs to strengthen to guarantee technological sovereignty in the face of a more demanding geopolitical scenario.
Under this international focus, the forum will have the participation of NATO for the first time, specifically with Lieutenant Colonel Jorge Carmona, who will join other major organizations such as NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Spanish Space Agency (ESA), the Space Command of the Spanish Air and Space Force (MESPA) or leading companies such as GMV, HISPASAT, INDRA, AIRBUS, SATLANTIS, OESÍA, SERVITRON, SENER, TELESPAZIO, among others.
SSSIF Agenda 2026: more than 100 expert presentations confirmed
Like every edition, the opening day of SSSIF 2026 will feature the participation of prominent institutional representatives, including Teresa Riesgo, Secretary General for Innovation of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of the Government of Spain, and representatives of other local and regional institutions such as the Junta de Andalucía. After the institutional opening, the programme will give way to different presentations focused on technologies that are set to mark the evolution of communications in the coming years, such as quantum and secure communications and optical communications.
In terms of round tables, both the Spanish Space Agency and the European Space Agency will participate in the table “Secure communications and quantum keys”; while in the “Communication and talent retention strategy in the space sector”, the AEE, sector associations such as TEDAE and leading companies in the sector, will focus on attracting and consolidating specialized profiles. The first day of the congress will conclude with the round table on “Dual use from the point of view of companies”, led by the Mas y Calvet Law Firm and with the participation of Colonel Vicente Navarro of the Space Command.
The second day will be dedicated to security and will feature prominent interventions by representatives linked to defense, such as General Isaac Crespo, head of the Space Command. During this day, there will also be a round table on “Challenges of European resilience from space and national constellations”, moderated by Satlantis, which will analyse the challenges of building and deploying constellations and the implications for different European countries, and the table “Space for the benefit of society”, led by Telespazio. The second day will be completed by the round table on “International collaboration in the space industry”, chaired by ICEX. To conclude the SSSIF 2026 congress, on the last day of the congress, Michela Muñoz from NASA, who was the first Spaniard to work for this institution, will speak.
The 2026 event will include, after the success and influx of university students of the previous edition, a new Workshop for Developers led by internationally renowned experts, who will support startups and universities in their projects, providing lessons learned and key aspects in the development cycle of a space mission.
A key event for the sector
In its 2025 edition, the forum exceeded 500 attendees – 20% more than the previous year – with the participation of 192 companies, 110 speakers and 35 exhibitors from more than 25 countries. It also had the support of 19 top-tier sponsors, including space agencies, manufacturers, scientists, developers and satellite launchers.
With sustained growth since its creation, the SSSIF has established itself as a key meeting point for the Space sector in Spain and as a benchmark event at European level, reinforcing the role of our country – and especially Malaga – as a strategic hub for space innovation and promoting collaboration between institutions, companies and professionals in the sector through technical debate. the strategic vision and opportunities for international cooperation.
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