Europe is looking for its "Elon Musk" for space travel and believes it has found him in a Belgian engineer

Brussels is investing billions in the Belgian startup OQ Technology by Benoît Deper to strengthen Europe's independence in satellite communication. The company is to build over 200 satellites to establish a sovereign infrastructure in space and to position Europe in the New Space race…

Brussels is granting a billion-dollar leap of faith to the Belgian space company OQ Technology and its founder Benoît Deper. The European Union is commissioning the start-up, which is still in its development phase, to build and operate over two hundred satellites. This strategic project aims to make Europe independent of external, particularly US-based, providers for communication and to establish its own sovereign infrastructure in space. The decision to entrust a newcomer with such a central role in a sector that is crucial for security policy and the economy underscores the European will to act quickly and boldly in the global space market and to promote innovative approaches. The measure dated October 12, 2026, positions Deper as a central figure in a new European space era.

The background to this ambitious strategy is the growing need for independent, secure satellite communication and data transmission, free from geopolitical influences and foreign technologies. In recent years, Europe has recognized that it is losing momentum in the race for the New Space Economy compared to the USA and China. The EU is therefore specifically promoting private companies that have the potential to accelerate development and deliver innovative solutions. The choice fell on OQ Technology, which specializes in the Internet of Things (IoT) from space and is said to have already successfully tested prototypes of its technology. This signals a paradigm shift away from traditional, sluggish large corporations toward more agile start-ups that can bring disruptive technologies to market faster.

For prospective MBA graduates and Master's candidates, this development offers diverse perspectives and illustrates the relevance of specialized knowledge in rapidly evolving industries. The space sector, particularly in the area of "New Space," is an excellent example of an industry that requires both technological innovation as well as strategic management and international cooperation. Projects of this magnitude create an enormous demand for professionals in areas such as project management, financing complex ventures, supply chain management, international regulation, and technology transfer. The ability to think interdisciplinarily and master global challenges is required here at the highest level.

The career path of an engineer like Benoît Deper, who dares to make the leap from technical expert to visionary business leader, is inspiring. It shows how technical know-how can be combined with entrepreneurial spirit to realize pioneering projects. For future leaders in the technology industry, this underscores the importance of an MBA program that not only teaches business fundamentals but also fosters skills in strategic planning, risk assessment, and scaling companies in an international context. The European space sector thus offers not only highly interesting career opportunities but also the chance to actively participate in shaping Europe's digital sovereignty.