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Connect by CNES unlocks the NewSpace potential for businesses!
The Connect by CNES program was launched to promote and expand the use of space technologies, with the ambitious goal of fostering a dynamic and competitive ecosystem. Since its inception, Connect by CNES has become a key player in the development of NewSpace in France—economically, environmentally, and socially. By partnering with competitiveness clusters, tech industry players, economic development agencies, ministries, regions, metropolitan areas, incubators, and accelerators, it integrates closely with the economic landscape.
Our hands-on program leverages CNES’s expertise and know-how to provide entrepreneurs with the technical support they need to utilize space-based solutions or develop groundbreaking technologies in both established and emerging markets.
This technological foundation is complemented by a dedicated support program for NewSpace industry players. It begins at the earliest stages of a project (ideation, access to our intellectual property, etc.), continues with business development initiatives (incubation, tailored funding, training, etc.), and extends to company growth and visibility (promotion, acceleration, international expansion support).
The NewSpace sector is experiencing rapid growth. To meet this surge in activity, we have enhanced our offering with targeted support initiatives, including:
Stronger actions to foster idea generation (monitoring, early-stage scouting, incubation pre-launch, etc.),
External expertise and regulatory consulting specific to NewSpace,
Increased focus on niche markets such as low Earth orbit commercialization, lunar economy, and space launchers/infrastructure,
The addition of new dedicated experts to our team for these segments.
Our goal? To continue propelling SpaceTech companies—and more broadly, French industry—to the forefront of the international stage while ensuring structured and sustainable growth.
Created in 2019, the CDE is a joint Air and Space command.
Located at the CNES site in Toulouse, it maintains close ties with the French space agency.
Its responsibilities place it at the heart of military space operations and expertise in this new arena of confrontation.
Its workforce is growing each year and is expected to reach approximately 500 personnel by 2025. In Toulouse, it will be co-located with NATO’s Space Center of Excellence.
Building on its pioneering role in space applications, 3i3s-Europa aims to foster the sharing of knowledge, skills, and expertise in the aerospace sector with the general public. It participates in projects and initiatives that extend space’s influence beyond its traditional sphere and strengthen its impact in future value chains.
The Alliance NewSpace represents about 20 members, over 700 employees, and several tens of millions of euros in investment in 2020. It supports the positioning of industry players by enhancing visibility, strengthening investment, encouraging co-developments, and seizing international business opportunities.
Its mission is to unite all NewSpace stakeholders in France and promote their expertise nationally and globally.
ASTech Paris Region is the aerospace, space, and defense competitiveness cluster in Île-de-France. Beyond its core mission of fostering R&D collaborations, since its creation in 2007, ASTech has played a crucial role in driving the aerospace, space, and defense industry in the region.
Today, ASTech encompasses over 320 organizations representing more than 75,000 jobs, including 53,000 in Île-de-France.
As a true link between different industry sectors, Club GALAXIE contributes to the broad development of the space sector, which provides key solutions to major societal challenges such as environmental sustainability, security, communications, telemedicine, and personal services.
The Club gathers the entire space community, from infrastructure to applications and services derived from space systems. It is dedicated to the scientific, industrial, cultural, and universal dimensions of space.
The ESA is dedicated to the peaceful exploration and utilization of space for the benefit of all. Established in 1975, the agency now includes 22 member states.
For over 40 years, the ESA has promoted Europe’s scientific and industrial interests in space. Its mission is to design and implement Europe’s space program, with projects ranging from Earth observation and satellite technology to planetary exploration and human spaceflight.
The ESA collaborates closely with non-European space agencies to ensure that the benefits of space exploration reach all of humanity.
Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world’s leading satellite operators. With its global fleet and ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables customers across video broadcasting, data transmission, government services, and fixed/mobile connectivity to establish effective links for their end-users, regardless of location.
The company broadcasts approximately 7,000 television channels, reaching over one billion viewers. Eutelsat also prioritizes sustainable development and is committed to reducing the digital divide while ensuring a secure and debris-free space environment.
The Expansion venture capital fund focuses on NewSpace startups and emerging aerospace technologies.
Founded in 2022, Expansion launched its first funding round of €100M in early 2024, with an ultimate goal of reaching €300M. It aims to become Europe’s leading investment fund for NewSpace startups, including micro-launchers, in-orbit services, Earth observation, and next-generation telecommunications.
Expansion has already invested in 14 startups across France and Europe, including Latitude, HyPrSpace, The Exploration Company, Space Cargo, Aldoria, and Zephalto.
The GIFAS represents more than 400 companies spanning the entire aerospace supply chain, from major prime contractors to small and medium enterprises.
As Europe’s leading space industry association, the French space sector generated a non-consolidated revenue of €5.7 billion in 2020.
ISAE-SUPAERO trains engineers, scientists, and managers who will be at the heart of transformations in the aerospace sector and, more broadly, in the advancement of our societies. With a portfolio of over 30 programs at the engineering, master’s, specialized master’s, and doctoral levels, and nearly 700 graduates per year—of whom almost 30% are international students—the Institute is a global leader in aerospace engineering education.
Its research activities cover all scientific disciplines supporting aerospace engineering and are coordinated with those of the ONERA research center, which is located on its campus. Both education and research at ISAE-SUPAERO aim to tackle the major challenges of the aerospace industry, including ecological transition, digital transformation, new mobility solutions, and emerging uses of space.
The Institute is a founding member of the ISAE Group and the Federal University of Toulouse.
ISAE-SUPAERO in Numbers
More than 1,800 students enrolled in programs such as the ISAE-SUPAERO Engineering Degree, Apprenticeship-based Engineering Program, Master’s in Aerospace Engineering, five research-focused master’s programs, 15 Specialized Master’s programs, and six doctoral schools.
Nearly 700 graduates per year.
Approximately 40% international students, representing 59 nationalities.
97 partner universities across 28 countries.
A network of over 24,000 alumni worldwide
ISAE-SUPAERO is a world leader in aerospace engineering education, training engineers, scientists, and managers who will drive future transformations in the industry. With over 30 training programs and nearly 700 graduates annually, including 30% international students, the institute is at the forefront of aerospace innovation.
Its research covers key aerospace disciplines, addressing major challenges such as ecological transition, digital transformation, new mobility solutions, and emerging space applications.
MINALOGIC focuses on eleven key themes:
Core deeptech fields: Microelectronics, Photonics, Software
Cross-cutting technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, IoT, Quantum, Decarbonization
Three dedicated application markets: Defense, NewSpace, Cultural and Creative Industries
The MINALOGIC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes competitiveness cluster is a driving force behind digital transformation, addressing strategic challenges related to reindustrialization, national sovereignty, and sustainable development.
The cluster fosters an ecosystem of over 500 members, including 440 companies covering the entire digital value chain, 20 research and training organizations with more than 150 laboratories, local authorities, and private investors.
MINALOGIC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes also leads the Booster CoSpace CENTAuRA, representing the region’s space ecosystem.
The New Space Club (French-speaking section) was founded by Pierre-José Billotte to address the lack of national debate on New Space, leveraging social media to do so. It brings together several hundred members and shares micro-analyses on key aspects of the emerging space economy, based on current events.
The New Space Club played a crucial role in the creation of the Assises du NewSpace, an initiative aimed at making New Space visible, establishing it as a strategic priority for the future of space activities, and exploring the conditions for ambitious development in France.
ONERA, a central player in aeronautics and space research, employs over 2,000 people. Operating under the supervision of the French Ministry of Armed Forces, it has a budget of €289 million (2023), with more than half coming from research, study, and testing contracts.
As a state expert, ONERA prepares the defense systems of the future, addresses upcoming aerospace challenges, and contributes to the competitiveness of the aerospace industry. It possesses expertise across all relevant disciplines and technologies. ONERA’s researchers, recognized internationally and frequently awarded, also train numerous PhD students.
PSHA is a unique initiative in France, providing a one-stop service platform that brings together expertise (engineering office), industrial facilities (Factory 4.0 / 5G), and project spaces (offices and workshops) to accelerate the development and industrialization of high-tech innovations.
Through its NewSpace Booster program, PSHA supports several space-tech companies by providing R&D assistance, as well as the development and manufacturing of complex, high-precision components using 3D and 5-axis subtractive technologies.
SAFE is the French competitiveness cluster specializing in Aeronautics & Space, Security & Safety, Defense, and Environment (Risks & Resilience). With operations in the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, it connects a network of over 450 stakeholders (SMEs, mid-sized and large companies, research and training centers, and end users), with 60% being businesses.
SAFE Cluster is one of three clusters within the national aeronautics and space industry. It also leads the “Space4Earth” Booster and is a partner of the ESA-BIC South France space accelerator.
The SIRIUS Chair (Université Toulouse-Capitole) is the first international research chair dedicated to space law and management.
Its work covers all institutional, regulatory, economic, financial, and management issues arising from the increasing use of satellites, the opening of space activities to competition, and the commercialization of space technologies.
Bringing together permanent researchers (professors, PhD students, postdocs, research associates, and international correspondents) while also welcoming internationally renowned experts, the SIRIUS Chair serves as a knowledge hub for legal, economic, managerial, and societal aspects related to the continuous progress of space technologies.
It advocates for a modern, industry-focused approach to space activities, catering to the needs of European space industries, European space policies, and the continent’s space powers.
Way4Space is a center of inspiration and innovation to invent and accelerate the knowledge, technologies and spatial uses of tomorrow. Based in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Way4Space aims to create transversality between sectors and connect high-level thinking and project exploration. By developing collective expertise in foresight, Way4Space wants to chart new paths!