WSLlux is in the process of building a 1200m² innovatively-designed modular infrastructure which, from the end of this year, will house companies wishing to promote the potential of new satellite-based applications.

From the early days of space exploration in Europe, Belgium has always been a linchpin in the development of space systems (electronics, optics, mechanical engineering, etc.). It is counting on the expertise in its regions to encourage the growth of SMBs and SMIs developing space applications in navigation, earth observation, high-speed communications, mobile services, etc.

Located near the Centre Spatial de Liège (Liège Space Centre), Wallonie Space Logistics (WSL), a business incubator for engineering sciences and space technologies, was created in the year 2000 and is expanding rapidly (30 start-ups). In a partnership with the IDELUX development company, its WSLlux subsidiary is being set up near the Euro Space Center educational theme park, not far from the ESA Redu station (in the Belgian Ardennes), which it will be connected to by fibre-optic cables.

New space technology start-ups providing services to the company have declared interest in locating to the WSLlux site which has a highly promising future. They will join the ranks of companies which have built Europe's space reputation such as SES Astra TechCom, VitroCiset, Spacebel, Verhaert Space etc.

DAILY GAZETTE, Friday 25 April 2008 - Toulouse Space Show