SPACE INDUSTRY


EU Space Policy aims at this stage to tackle some of the most pressing challenges today, such as fighting climate change and helping to stimulate technological innovation
The European Union space programme helps European Union citizens carry out everyday activities on earth. The satellites that the EU sends into orbit allow millions of people to communicate using new technologies, to travel by land, sea and air, and to develop ways in which to improve the health of our planet.

EU space policy:
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  • helps create jobs and boost growth and investment in Europe
  • pushes back the boundaries of science and research
  • promotes and facilitates other policies in such areas as security and defence, industry and digital technology
  • plays a crucial role in the economic recovery after the COVID-19 crisis and in tackling global challenges such as climate change

According to research carried out by the European Commission, the European space economy, which includes manufacturing and services, employs over 231 000 professionals. Its value was estimated at around €53-62 billion in 2017.

EU Space Programme 2021-2027
In April 2021, the Council and European Parliament adopted a regulation establishing the new EU space programme for the years 2021 to 2027. The programme entered into force retroactively on 1 January 2021.

It will ensure:
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  • high-quality, up-to-date and secure space-related data and services
  • greater socio-economic benefits from the use of such data and services, aimed at increased growth and job creation in the EU
  • enhanced EU security and autonomy
  • a stronger role for the EU as a leading actor in the space sector

The regulation simplifies the existing EU legal framework and governance system and standardises the security framework. It improves and brings together existing EU programmes such as Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS under one umbrella.
The programme also introduces new security components, such as the Space and Situational Awareness (SSA) programme or the new Governmental Satellite Communication (GOVSATCOM) initiative to monitor space hazards and provide national authorities with access to secure satellite communications.
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While striving to strengthen existing European space assets and services, EU Space Programme also target start-ups and SMEs, which develop innovative solutions based on space technologies, data and services. The EU Space Programme supports the European space industry and promotes the emergence of a European ‘New Space’ eco-system fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and new funding opportunities.

​Today, EU Space Programme is dealing with:
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  • Earth Observation
  • Satellite Navigation
  • Connectivity
  • Space Research and Innovation
  • Supports investments in critical infrastructure and disruptive technologies​

The EU Space Programme is implemented in close cooperation with the EU Member States, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), the European Space Agency (ESA), EUMETSAT and many other stakeholders.

The Programme's main targets are decision-makers, public authorities, EU commercial and private users and others, such as researchers and nongovernmental organisations. Ultimately, the programme serves the needs of EU citizens. The information gathered by the EU-owned satellites and the services which they provide are a public good, freely accessible to all.
The following flagship current and future components deliver European space-based services on a daily basis: 
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  • COPERNICUS is the European Earth Observation (EO) system. It supports the management of the environment, helps to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensures safety and civil security across Europe. Copernicus is the first world provider of ‘big’ space data.
  • GALILEO is a global satellite navigation and positioning system (GNSS) on which numerous EU economic sectors rely, from transport and agriculture to border management and search and rescue. Its 20cm accuracy makes Galileo a game changer for autonomous driving and commercial drones. Already more than 2.5 billion smartphones are Galileo-enabled.
  • EGNOS is the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service: a reliable navigation signal improving the navigation services to aviation, maritime and land-based users over 30+ countries, and already operational in 426 airports and helipads.
  • On 15 February 2022, the Commission presented a Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Union secure connectivity programme for the period 2023-2027. This programme is particularly important in regard to low orbits. Currently, low orbits are increasingly occupied by third-country mega-constellations, with EU operators facing challenges due to the capital-intensive nature of such projects. It is therefore important to increase the EU’s competitiveness and resilience. The programme will take into account synergies with the other components of the EU space programme. The programme builds on the GOVSATCOM component of the EU space programme. This Proposal for a Regulation is still under discussion at the EU Council: last discussion on 24 November 2022.
  • STM - Space Traffic Management. The exponential applications of space services involve more and more satellites, thus more traffic in space. As the congestion of satellites and debris threaten the viability of space infrastructure, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have presented an EU approach on Space Traffic Management (STM). This would further strengthen the Union’s space surveillance and tracking capabilities (already providing collision avoidance services to more than 260 European spacecraft), and set clear standards and regulation for a safe, sustainable and secure use of space.  Read the Joint Communication
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