Airbus Geotech

Airbus GeoTech

Airbus GeoTech is a specialized digital geospatial hub and subsidiary of Airbus Space Digital. While Airbus has massive aerospace hubs in Toulouse, its GeoTech division is primarily headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.

Key Focus Areas

  • Stratospheric Observation: A world leader in HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) technology. They developed StratObserver, an advanced optical system capable of real-time video and 18cm resolution from the stratosphere.
  • Geospatial Intelligence: Specialized in transforming satellite and drone imagery into actionable 2D and 3D mapping data for urban planning and infrastructure development.
  • Aeronautical Products: Development of electronic Terrain Obstacle Databases (eTOD) and Airport Mapping Data Bases (AMDB).

Locations

  • Barcelona Headquarters: Main center for R&D, engineering, and geospatial production.
  • Madrid Office: Located in Getafe, providing additional support for geospatial and aerospace engineering.
  • Toulouse (Parent Hub): While not the primary “GeoTech” site, Airbus Defence and Space Toulouse remains the global center for satellite manufacturing and mission control.

Notable Projects

  • StratObserver: A project utilizing the Zephyr high-altitude aircraft to provide persistent surveillance over specific regions for months at a time.
  • Digital Cartography: Over 30 years of experience delivering vector maps, urban datasets, and topographic databases to more than 200 international customers.
Barcelona Space

Barcelona Space Open Innovation Safari

Explore one of Europe’s most promising New Space ecosystems

Location: Barcelona – Themes: Space / New Space / Satellites / Connectivity – Duration: One Day

The Barcelona Space Open Innovation Safari is a one-day immersive experience designed for professionals who want to explore how innovation and technology are transforming the future of the space economy.

Led by Certified Innovation Safari Sherpa Oriol Ribera, this Safari introduces explorers to the Barcelona New Space ecosystem, where startups, research centers and innovation organizations are developing new solutions related to satellite connectivity, Earth observation and space-enabled services.

During the experience, explorers will discover how entrepreneurs, engineers and innovators are working together to create new technologies and business models that are reshaping industries through space-based infrastructure and data.

Explorers will explore topics such as:

  • New Space innovation
  • Satellite connectivity
  • Earth observation and data
  • Space-enabled services for multiple industries

Innovation Safaris allow professionals to experience innovation where it actually happens.

The experience

The Safari combines curated exploration with interactive activities designed to encourage learning, discussion and inspiration.

Explorers will explore key innovation hotspots in Barcelona’s Space ecosystem:

  • SATELIOT – A pioneering New Space startup connecting IoT devices through satellite networks.
  • IEEC – The Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya, a key organization in the promotion of space research, talent and innovation.
  • i2CAT – A research and innovation center working on advanced digital connectivity, including space-related communications.

Participants will:

  • Exploration walk at innovation spaces connected to the New Space ecosystem
  • Meet startups and innovators working on the future of space-enabled services
  • join an innovation workshop with other explorers: discuss emerging trends in satellite connectivity, Earth observation and data-driven services
  • explore how space technologies can generate new business opportunities in sectors such as mobility, logistics, agriculture and telecommunications

This immersive approach helps participants better understand how Space ecosystems operate in practice.

What explorers will gain

Explorers will learn and design by:

  • discovering emerging trends in New Space innovation
  • understanding how space startups develop and scale new solutions
  • connecting with entrepreneurs and innovation organizations
  • generating ideas and inspiration for new services and business models

Who Should Join

  • corporate innovation leaders
  • entrepreneurs and startup founders
  • telecommunications and technology professionals
  • researchers and academics
  • public sector innovation managers

Participants from different sectors are encouraged to join and share perspectives.

Join this Open Safari

Limited group to ensure a high-quality exploration experience.