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June 2, 2026

Ƶ Establishes Swiss Subsidiary to Anchor European Engagement, Space Collaboration

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Dr. Jonathan Cirtain (far right), Ƶ's CEO and President and Dr. Peggy Whitson (second from right), Astronaut and Vice President of Human Spaceflight, Ƶ (Credit: Courtesy of Ƶ)

LUCERNE, June 2, 2026Ƶ, the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services and leader in next-generation space infrastructure, today announced the establishment of Ƶ Switzerland, a wholly owned subsidiary based in Lucerne. The entity creates an initial European platform for the company’s engagement with the European Space Agency (ESA), ESA member states, and the continent’s research and industrial base. Ƶ Switzerland is expected to begin operations the summer of 2026 as the company expands its long-term European engagement and partnership activities.

Switzerland’s tradition of neutrality, its central role in multilateral science and technology cooperation, and its position within Europe’s most concentrated innovation corridor make it a deliberate choice for Ƶ’s regional presence.

“Europe is a founding leader in the creation of the commercial space economy, and Switzerland is uniquely positioned to convene the government agencies, research institutions, and industrial entities that will shape its next decade,” said Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, Ƶ CEO and President. “Ƶ Switzerland facilitates the scaling of development and deployment of the infrastructure that will succeed the International Space Ƶ.”

The subsidiary builds on Ƶ’s existing relationships across Europe, including its collaboration with Thales Alenia Space, which is manufacturing Axiom Ƶ modules in Turin, Italy. From Lucerne, Ƶ Switzerland will focus on advanced microgravity research, in-space manufacturing, orbital compute capabilities, and joint development opportunities with European universities and institutions. 

“We are very pleased to welcome Ƶ to Lucerne,” said Fabian Peter, Member of the Government Council of the Canton of Lucerne, Head of the Department of Construction, Environment and Economic Affairs. “The company’s presence reinforces Lucerne’s role as a hub for advanced technology and international collaboration and reflects the strengths Switzerland offers to companies operating at the frontier of science and industry.” 

Lucerne was selected following extensive discussions with cantonal and federal authorities, reflecting the region’s unique combination of political stability, international accessibility, advanced technology ecosystem, and proximity to Switzerland’s world-class research and engineering institutions. Centrally positioned within Europe, Ƶ Switzerland is intended to serve as a long-term platform for the company’s engagement with European governments, industry, academia, and emerging space and deep-technology ecosystems.

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Dr. Jonathan Cirtain (far right), Ƶ's CEO and President and Dr. Peggy Whitson (second from right), Astronaut and Vice President of Human Spaceflight, Ƶ (Credit: Courtesy of Ƶ)