The Greater Zurich space economy: Redefining earth’s orbit and beyond
Discover why Starlab Space, backed by Airbus and Voyager Space, selected Greater Zurich for its European operations. Learn how Prof. Oliver Ullrich is driving collaboration in the New Space Economy, fostering groundbreaking advancements in biotech and space innovation.
Setting the stage: Greater Zurich Area as a collaborator
Greater Zurich’s rise as a leader in the space sector feels both inevitable and groundbreaking. Already a magnet for global tech giants like the recently established The AI and Robotics Institute, OpenAI and Anthropic, the region offers a potent mix of intellectual firepower and commercial pragmatism. Now, with its sights set on space, the Greater Zurich Area is positioning itself not as a competitor, but as a collaborator — leveraging AI, medtech, and advanced manufacturing to redefine what’s possible in orbit.
At the heart of this transformation lies Starlab Space, a joint venture by Airbus, Voyager Space, Mitsubishi Corporation, and MDA Space. With the ISS set to retire by 2029, Starlab is more than just a successor — it’s a new vision for how orbital research and industry converge, with dozens of stations in small series production, daily transport launches, and massively reduced transport costs. A space station will probably cost a little more than a large aircraft. And behind it all, Ullrich’s fingerprints are unmistakable. “We’re not here to play small,” he declares. “This is about creating something that resonates globally.”
Meanwhile, the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich is rapidly becoming the epicenter of this new frontier. With access to an airfield, cutting-edge research facilities, and collaborations with leading academic institutions like the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, the park provides the perfect foundation for the new Center for Space and Aviation.
About:
The global importance of the space economy and beyond
🚀 A $1.8 Trillion Industry by 2035: The global space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $630 billion in 2023, growing at nearly twice the rate of global GDP.
🌍 Catalyst for Innovation: Space technologies are driving advancements across various sectors, including biotech and pharma, telecommunications, Earth observation, and logistics, significantly impacting the global economy.
🌌 Global Collaboration: The space sector fosters international cooperation, uniting nations and industries to address challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and global connectivity.
📡 Economic and Strategic Value: Switzerland alone contributes significantly to the European space industry, with over 100 companies and institutions actively engaged in aerospace innovation, specializing in satellite technologies, microgravity research, and cutting-edge materials development.
To leaders in AI, biotech, space, and advanced manufacturing: this is your moment. Greater Zurich offers not just world-class infrastructure and talent but also a collaborative ecosystem designed to propel your ambitions to new heights. Ready to expand and lead in the industries of tomorrow? Let us support you in bringing your vision to life.
Meet with an expansion expert
Our services are free of charge and include:
- Introduction to key contacts in industry, academia, and government
- Advice on regulatory framework, taxes, labor, market, and setting up a company
- Custom-made fact-finding visits, including office and co-working space
A conversation with Prof. Ullrich about borderless innovation
Prof. Ullrich, the Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein arose under your leadership. Congratulations! The Greater Zurich Area is traditionally seen as a hub for finance and life sciences. How does space fit into this narrative?
Ullrich: Space is the ultimate interdisciplinary playground. Think about it — where else can AI, biotech, material science, and sustainable engineering all thrive together? Greater Zurich is already a leader in these fields. Space is the next logical step, not as a separate endeavor, but as a catalyst for everything we’re already excelling at.
Your name often comes up in conversations about international collaboration. What drives your commitment to global partnerships?
Ullrich: I believe innovation is fundamentally borderless. Our challenges — climate change, resource scarcity, health crises — don’t stop at national lines. The same is true for opportunities. My work, whether through ESA, NASA, or initiatives like the Starlab project, is always about bringing the right minds together, no matter where they come from. Greater Zurich, especially with initiatives like the Switzerland Innovation Park Dübendorf, is uniquely positioned to be that global crossroads.
A proud promoter of the Greater Zurich Area
Describing Ullrich as merely committed would be an understatement. His career, spanning groundbreaking research in aerospace medicine, partnerships with institutions from Singapore to Florida, and over 1,200 parabolic flights, reflects a man who refuses to be bound by conventional limits. In recognition of his efforts to elevate Greater Zurich on the global stage, Ullrich was appointed as a Greater Zurich Ambassador in August this year. Colleagues describe him as intensely focused but deeply empathetic — a rare combination of brilliance and approachability. “Oliver doesn’t just talk,” notes a peer from NASA. “He lives it, breathes it, and makes it happen. He’s a doer”
Whether it’s mentoring young scientists or shaping global policy discussions, Ullrich’s philosophy is clear: excellence is meaningless unless it’s shared. “He always sees space as a common and connecting goal of all humankind," says Elisabeth Stark, Vice President of Research, at the University of Zurich.
