Alliance NewSpace France is the trade association representing French NewSpace startups and SMEs. The Alliance brings together more than 50 innovative companies, from launch and satellite manufacturing to connectivity, Earth observation, and in-orbit operations. Our members contribute to the transformation of the European space sector through technological innovation, new industrial capabilities and strong international ambitions. The Alliance works to promote a competitive NewSpace ecosystem in France and across Europe. It engages with national and European institutions to support and also fosters international partnerships and industrial cooperation with stakeholders across the global space ecosystem.

Created in september 2019, the French Space Command embodies France’s Space Defence Strategy. Under the dual authority of the French Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, the French Space Command protects and defends French assets and interests in orbit. Responsible for conducting France’s military operations, the French Space Command plays a key role in the expansion of the space defence sector in coordination with all the organizations concerned, in particular the French Procurement Defense Agency (DGA)  and the French Space Agency (CNES).

The French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS) is an industry body that brings together more than 500 companies, ranging from main prime contractors and system suppliers to SMEs and startups. They form a cohesive, hard-driving high-technology sector specializing in the design, development, construction, marketing, and maintenance of all aeronautical and space programs and equipment, both civilian and military aircrafts, as well as defense and security systems.

GIFAS represents an industry whose 2024 sales amounted to €77.7bn, with 74% in civil aviation and 26% in defence. As the leading contributor to France’s positive foreign trade balance, the sector generates 82% of its consolidated sales accounted for exports. It directly employs 222,000 people.

Every two years, GIFAS organizes the International Paris Air Show, the world’s premier aerospace show. The 56th Paris-Le Bourget Airshow will take place from June 14 to 20, 2027.

CNES is the French space agency. Founded in 1961, the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales is a programmatic agency, field centre and space operator encompassing all of the functions required to shape and execute the French government’s space strategy, and to deploy public policies that rely on the space sector (land management, agriculture, health, telecommunications, natural disasters, defence, etc.).

CNES is a government agency overseen by the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, the Ministry for Armed Forces and the Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Space.

In Paris, Toulouse and Kourou, CNES has more than 2,300 people working to project French excellence around the world and make France a partner of choice in the major science programmes shaping our future.

We are keenly aware of our responsibility and duty as a government agency to set an example, and we are committed to ensuring the well-being of our people and to preserving living ecosystems.

Our corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy covers the three social, economic and environmental pillars of sustainable development, aligned with France’s CSR roadmap and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CNES is working to promote space as a tool for gaining new insights into environmental phenomena, nature conservation, efforts to combat climate change and for the sustainable use of outer space.