Key space firms partner with SWAN to challenge gender imbalance

Paris, 26 June 2025 – Only one in ten leadership roles in the space industry is held by a woman. A statistic that underscores the urgency for change. At the 2025 Paris Air Show, SWAN (Space Women Alliance) formalised new strategic partnerships with five leading players: Unseenlabs, Eutelsat Group, Loft Orbital, IONX and Expansion to act and reverse this trend. Gender equity is not just a social imperative. It is a strategic advantage for Europe’s space ambitions. This message was echoed by French Prime Minister François Bayrou during the Paris Air Show’s inauguration, where he warned: “Gender inequality in space is growing, and that’s a problem.” His statement underscores the urgent need to move beyond awareness and take concrete action.

The strategic partnerships announced by SWAN reflect exactly that: a shift from intention to implementation. They aim to accelerate inclusion, visibility, and leadership opportunities for women across the industry.

Echoing this commitment, Clément Galic, CEO and Co-founder of Unseenlabs, stated: “We can’t just keep pointing out the imbalance. It’s time to act. Joining Space Women Alliance is our way of doing that.”

Emmanuelle Meric, General Manager Europe at Loft Orbital, emphasized the link between inclusion and innovation: “Joining SWAN was an obvious choice. Diversity is a driver of excellence, and a necessity for building the kind of industry we want to see.”

Thomas Hiriart, CEO of Ion-X, added: “The space industry cannot reach its full potential without greater diversity and inclusion. Supporting SWAN’s mission is a core part of how we shape our company’s future.”

SWAN serves as a structural platform that brings together initiatives, stakeholders, and organizations to promote systemic gender equity in the space industry. Through its core programs: SWANRise, which mentors mid-career women for leadership roles;
SWANSpace, a platform that showcases the diverse, multigenerational talent within the industry, from students entering the field to seasoned speakers; and SWANChampion, which amplifies women’s representation in decision-making and spotlights senior female leaders at major industry events, SWAN builds long-term pathways for inclusion, visibility, and leadership.

These strategic partners are engaging with SWAN over the long term, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing one of the space sector’s most persistent challenges: the underrepresentation of women in leadership and across the workforce.

Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat Group, affirmed this commitment: “Because a more diverse industry is a stronger one, we are proud to stand alongside Space Women Alliance. Our sponsorship of SWANRise reflects our belief in developing the next generation of women leaders in space.”

Sandra Budimir, General Partner at Expansion, added: “On our own we go quickly, but united we go far. SWAN has created a powerful collective, and we’re honored to help carve a path for the women rising behind us.”

Join us at the Assises du NewSpace 2025

SWAN and its partners will be present at the Assises du NewSpace 2025. We invite institutions, industry leaders, and allies to meet us there and discover how we are turning commitment into lasting impact.

About Space Women Alliance (SWAN)

SWAN is an international initiative established in October 2024 under France’s 1901 Association Law. It was founded by professionals from Eutelsat Group, CNES, and Cosmos for Humanity, with the mission to reshape the space industry from within by advancing inclusion and equity across the global space sector. SWAN brings together a growing community of pro-bono professionals through three flagship programs: SWANRise (mentorship), SWANSpace (talent visibility), and SWANChampion (advocacy and allyship). Together, these initiatives drive SWAN’s mission to build a more inclusive and responsible space sector.

Media enquiries

comms@spacewomenalliance.com

Pamela Meuleye — Tel. +33 7 89 79 33 55

Christelle Astorg-Lepine — Tel. +971 54 212 0786

Cécile Roques — Tel. +33 6 89 94 50 36