The CSU aims to turn Germany into Europe's space center and drive innovative technologies. In a draft position paper, the party proposes developing the first 'kidney made in space' in Germany to revolutionize transplant medicine. The paper is set to be adopted at the winter retreat in Seeon Monastery.
The Christian Social Union (CSU) seeks to position Germany as a leading technology nation, with a strong focus on space travel. In a draft position paper to be adopted at the CSU parliamentary group's winter retreat next week in the Upper Bavarian Seeon Monastery, it states: «The next industrial revolution is taking place in orbit. We want the first 'kidney made in space' to be developed in Germany».
The draft, reported by «Focus» and available to the German Press Agency (dpa), emphasizes space manufacturing as a key technology. CSU parliamentary group leader Alexander Hoffmann said: «We want to make Germany a top technology country that plays at the forefront worldwide. With the high-tech agenda, we are investing massively in key technologies such as AI, quantum computing, microelectronics, and biotechnology.» Space travel would enable innovations hindered by gravity on Earth.
Particularly in medicine, advances are targeted. Tissue structures and blood vessels could be produced more stably via 3D printing in space. «This way, we want to reduce the need for donor organs like hearts and livers and revolutionize transplant medicine», the paper states. Space would become a «driver for life-saving developments». The CSU calls for more investments in research and development as well as the construction of space stations with laboratories.
Additionally, the party advocates for a «sovereign access to space of our own», as Germany currently relies on external partners. To promote innovations, research bureaucracy should be reduced, application processes digitalized, and funding simplified. «Innovations have priority», the position paper underscores.
