ESA Member States agree in Bremen on the pillars of Europe’s space future
On 26 and 27 November, the ministers of the Member States of the European Space Agency are meeting in Bremen to define the European space strategy for the coming years.
On the table is a budget proposal close to 22 billion euros, a 15% increase compared to the previous period, with the aim of strengthening the continent’s autonomy, resilience, and competitiveness in a complex geopolitical context.
Among the key initiatives is the European Space Resilience (ERS) programme, considered a flagship proposal and focused on three pillars: Earth observation, communications, and navigation. Its goal is to equip Europe with intelligent, real-time capabilities for security and defence purposes.
Another significant project is ESCA (Atlantic Constellation), a joint programme between Spain and Portugal that plans the launch of 16 observation satellites to improve emergency management, climate change monitoring, and maritime surveillance.
The proposal also includes advances in robotics (ExoMars Rosalind Franklin), new scientific missions (Future EO, Earth Explorer 11, Digital Twin Earth), programmes targeting Mars (Voyage 2050) and the Moon (Artemis, Argonaut).
In the field of launchers, Europe is reinforcing its commitment to Ariane 6 and Vega C, with the goal of reaching up to 12 launches per year. Also notable is the European Launcher Challenge, which promotes new commercial launch services, including those of the Spanish company PLD Space.
Finally, the aim is to maintain leadership in navigation with Galileo and EGNOS, advance in optical and quantum technologies, and strengthen industrial competitiveness through the ARTES programme and other cross-cutting initiatives focused on commercialization and the growth of Europe’s space sector.
Source: Info Espacial
