What has happened?

The EU institutions approved the Space Regulation, which establishes the EU Space Program and the successor of the GNSS Agency, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA).

Why this is important?

The European space ecosystem is of strategic importance and around 10% of the EU's GDP depends on the use of space services. That ecosystem is a source of economic growth, jobs (~230 000) and exports, generates value (~€46-54 billion), offers solutions to societal challenges and to the green and digital transitions and is a source of inspiration for innovations and public engagement.

What is in it for you?

With the largest budget ever for space (€14.88 billion), the EU space program could: 

  • help the space ecosystem recover from the crisis and avoid irreparable damage
  • improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the ecosystem, accelerate the development of New Space and help to compete in the global race
  • trigger a number of actions such as the European Commission (EC)’s CASSINI initiative, including a €1billion space fund (see previous blog)
  • ensure the evolution of the flagship programs Galileo, Copernicus and EGNOS 
  • enhance Surveillance and Tracking (SST) capabilities to track and identify space objects and debris, provide weather services and map near earth objects (NEO)
  • support new initiatives on governmental satellite communications (GOVSATCOM).

EUSPA will continue and expand the GNSS Agency (whilst remaining in Prague) and manage the above flagship programs, including uptake actions. The EC, which has overall responsibility, will manage NEO, GOVSATCOM and encourage cooperation and synergies. ESA will be mainly in charge of upstream research and development activities.

Next steps

  • The EU Space Regulation will rapidly enter into force and apply, with retroactive effect, from January 1, 2021. 
  • EUSPA will soon enter into operation
  • The EC may follow the proposal of the Council and adopt an innovation strategy for New Space, encompassing the whole value chain and access to finance.