Over the past decade, space has gained increasing importance as an economic sector offering opportunities for established and emerging markets. Space policies and their applications have also gained in political relevance due to their capacity to tackle global challenges, such as the climate and biodiversity crises, but also due to the growing reliance of the EU economy and society on space infrastructure, services and data. This briefing focuses on the state of play in regard to the EU's space economy, while also examining the EU's reliance on space services. Specifically, it highlights the relevance of the EU in the global space market and looks at the ways the EU could boost its use of space data and services to deliver on its main political priorities.

EPRS policy podcast - EU space policy: Boosting EU competitiveness and accelerating the twin ecological and digital transition

<p>In June 2018, the European Commission presented the new Space Programme. It aims to ensure investment continuity in EU space activities, encourage scientific and technical progress, and support the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the European space industry.</p>

<p>The 14.8 billion euro programme should improve flagship initiatives such as Galileo, Copernicus and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). The 2021-2027 EU space programme will fund projects that provide high-quality space-related data as well as services with key socio-economic benefits and potential to create jobs. It also aims to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, its security and its role in the space sector. With more than 30 satellites currently in orbit and over 25 planned for the next 10 to 15 years, the EU is the largest institutional customer for launch services in Europe. According to the European Commission, the strategic importance of the space sector for the Union has increased, as has the need for the European space sector to adapt to the changing global environment. Space technology, data and services have become indispensable to the daily lives of the public and to the EU's strategic interests. Space can play a crucial role in tackling new challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, border control, maritime surveillance and security.</p>

EU space programme

EP Plenary session - Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities

Video call between Roberta METSOLA, EP President and astronaut Samantha CRISTOFORETTI, next Commander of the International Space Station

Samantha CRISTOFORETTI, Astronaut / International Space Station Commander and Josef ASCHBACHER, ESA Director General make a statement on the cooperation of the EU and European Space Agency and the gender equality in the context of Space program. Samantha CRISTOFORETTI is in the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, on the occassion of the Internatinal Women's Day celebration.

Gender balance / EU - ESA Cooperation: Statement by Samantha CRISTOFORETTI, ISS Commander and Josef ASCHBACHER, ESA Director General

In the context of the digital and ecological transition, space services such as satellite communication are becoming a strategic asset. The Russian war of invasion also shows how important it is for defence and civilian purposes. With that in mind, the EU has the ambition to deploy its own constellation of up to 170 satellites to provide secure, uninterrupted and fast communications. The programme promises major advances to our economy and society. But to be successful, it must address challenges like space congestion. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - IRIS²: the EU Secure Connectivity Programme

&lt;p>President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola exchanges with the astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, the first European woman to be the Commander of the International Space Station. She intervenes from the ISS, the large spacecraft in orbit around Earth. This transcript is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.&lt;/p>

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council, participate in a Lex signing ceremony, in the European Parliament in Brussels. The six COD LEX texts concern: Horizon Europe programme - Dan NICA (S&D,RO); European Globalisation Adjustment Fund - Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ (S&D, LT); Rights and Values programme - Alice KUHNKE (Greens/EFA, SE); Justice programme - Katarina BARLEY (S&D,DE) / Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI); Single Market programme - Brando BENIFEI (S&D,IT); Space programme - Massimiliano SALINI (EPP, IT).

LEX signing ceremony: signature by David SASSOLI, EP President and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and President in office of the Council of the EU

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the space programme 2021-2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme: extracts from the debate (27/04) and from the vote. Statements by Massimiliano SALINI (EPP, IT), Rapporteur, Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), Carlos ZORRINHO (S&D, PT), Christophe GRUDLER (Renew, FR) and Niklas NIENASS (Greens/EFA, DE).

Space programme 2021-2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme: extracts from the debate (27/04) - extracts from the Lex signing ceremony

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on Space programme 2021-2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme

Space programme 2021-2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on Space programme 2021-2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme. Opening statements by Massimiliano SALINI (EPP, IT), rapporteur and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market.

Space programme 2021-2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme: opening statements by Massimiliano SALINI (EPP, IT), rapporteur and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on Space programme 2021-2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme. Closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market.

Space programme 2021-2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme: closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

EU space programme 2021-2027 (T)

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