idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Together with President Dr. Anne Van den Bosch (IMEC), Dr. Nadya Ben Bekhti-Winkel will lead the European Association of Space Technology Research Organisations (EASTRO) in the future. The researcher from the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE was unanimously elected Vice President at the General Assembly in February. This marks the first time two women have headed the EASTRO Executive Board. The association represents research and technology organizations (RTOs) in the European space sector and coordinates their activities in order to strategically contribute research expertise to the further development of a competitive European space market.
Ben Bekhti-Winkel works at the Central Office Business Unit Space of Fraunhofer Aviation & Space, which is based at Fraunhofer FKIE. In her new role as EASTRO Vice President, she will represent the interests of the entire Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in the European space sector over the next three years, working closely with the newly elected President, Dr. Anne Van den Bosch (IMEC). The Executive Board is completed by Dr. João Paulo Pereira (INEGI) and Treasurer Dr. David Fraboulet (CEA).
EASTRO represents the interests of its members vis-à-vis the European Commission, the ESA, and other institutional and industrial stakeholders. Its goal is to develop innovations that address societal challenges while also generating economic impact. In addition, the network seeks to strengthen coordination and consolidation of European space research.
EASTRO was founded in February 2023 by 15 RTOs from eleven European countries. The Belgian international non-profit association emerged from the Working Group Space of the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO). The member organizations pool considerable resources: their parent institutions employ more than 65,000 staff and generate a combined turnover of over seven billion euros. More than 3,000 scientists and engineers work on space research and innovation projects with annual research budgets exceeding 250 million euros. The activities of EASTRO members range from advanced structures and satellite subsystems to scientific instruments, quantum technologies, and the use of remote sensing data – for example, for analyzing climate change.
“In the current geopolitical situation, it is crucial that European RTOs speak with one voice,” emphasizes Ben Bekhti-Winkel. “Only through close coordination can we ensure that research results reach market maturity more quickly and are translated into concrete applications.” What excites her most about her new role is the opportunity to bring together leading expertise from applied research and industry in order to jointly address the challenges currently facing Europe.
For the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, participation in EASTRO offers the opportunity to incorporate scientific topics and technological expertise into European research programs and calls for proposals at an early stage – for example within the Horizon Europe framework in the space sector.
Election of the new Executive Board at the EASTRO General Assembly on February 12, 2026.
Copyright: EASTRO
Dr. Nadya Ben Bekhti-Winkel (second from right) at Space Tech Expo 2025 during EASTRO’s signing of t ...
Copyright: IEEC/EASTRO
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