EU Space policy
Two decades of progress, one vision for 2050: The evolution of EU space policy.
EU Space activities are the result of decades of foresight and an effort at integrating the various EU space flagships under one single umbrella. It supports the EU’s mission to:
- Address major challenges such as climate change and security
- Maintain Europe’s leadership in the global competition for cutting edge technology
- Boost the economic growth of Europe with new industries
Many of our everyday activities in Europe are possible thanks to EU-owned and managed space infrastructure such as our satellite navigation systems, Earth Observation satellites and sensors, and secured communications systems. These systems deliver space-based data and services, helping those who grow your food, work in urban planning, combat climate change, and provide assistance during natural and humanitarian disasters.
On top of this, the EU supports space businesses and the growth of the space economy with a €1 billion investment fund for space startups; the EU funds space research and innovation with over €1.5 billion in grants for space researchers and scientists; the EU safeguards critical technologies to ensure the European space industry always has access to needed resources and technologies; and the EU works to promote education and skills to ensure young people can enter and thrive in Europe’s growing space sector.
Dive in to learn all about these EU Space activities and opportunities!
Europe's Expanding Role in Space
Over the past two decades, the European Union (EU) has steadily expanded its role in space to ensure that Europe fully benefits from the data and services provided by space-based technologies. From satellite navigation to climate monitoring, EU space capabilities now touch nearly every aspect of daily life and global governance.
The EU’s first space programmes
The Union’s first operational space capabilities
The launch of the EU’s GNSS and GMES programmes marked the beginning of the EU’s development of autonomous space-based services. The Galileo programme was launched in 1999 , followed by the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) initiative in 1998 , later renamed Copernicus . Galileo and EGNOS established European capabilities for satellite navigation and positioning, while GMES laid the foundations for a European Earth observation system providing information for environmental monitoring, security and policy-making.
The European Space Policy
In 2007, the EU and the European Space Agency (ESA) released the European Space Policy, the first coordinated framework guiding Europe's space activities. This foundational document sought to:
- Strengthen coordination among European space actors
- Support strategic autonomy in space
- Align the EU's space endeavours with the Union's economic, environmental, and security goals
From Vision to Action: Galileo and Copernicus
Between 2007 and 2021, the EU's role in space grew significantly, with major components such as Galileo and Copernicus moving from developmental to operational phases.
Four Key Priorities for a Modern Space Ecosystem
In response to an evolving geopolitical and technological landscape, the European Commission (EC) published the Space Strategy for Europe in 2016. It focused on:
- Maximising societal and economic benefits from space activities
- Boosting European space industry competitiveness
- Reinforcing autonomous access to space
- Strengthening global leadership in space
The strategy ushered in flagship EU Space initiatives such as GOVSATCOM (secure governmental satellite communications) and expanded investments in Space Situational Awareness (SSA).
Bringing Europe’s industrial and technological ecosystems closer together
Adopted in February 2021 , the Action Plan on Synergies between Civil, Defence and Space Industries established a framework to strengthen cooperation and cross-fertilisation across these strategic sectors. It aimed to create greater synergies between EU programmes, support start-ups and SMEs, reduce critical technological dependencies and accelerate the transfer of innovations between civil, defence and space applications.
A unified legal and operational framework
The 2021 EU Space Regulation marked a major step in unifying Europe's various space initiatives. It officially created the EU Space Programme, bringing together all EU space components under one framework.
Establishing the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)
The Regulation also established EUSPA, a user-oriented agency responsible for delivering secure and effective space-based services across the EU, strengthening the role of space in European citizens' everyday lives.
An EU Approach to Space Traffic Management (STM)
In 2022, the EU introduced its Approach for Space Traffic Management, addressing growing concerns over space debris and orbital congestion. Key goals included:
- Expanding SSA capabilities
- Promoting international norms of responsible behaviour in space
- Boosting Europe's global leadership in space safety
Strategic Compass for Security and Defence
In 2022, recognising space as a strategic domain for security, the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence called for a comprehensive EU strategy to safeguard its space assets and respond to emerging threats.
EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence
In 2023, the EU released its EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence, aimed at:
- Defining a shared threat landscape
- Enabling joint civil-defence response mechanisms
- Preventing the weaponisation of space through international norms
Building Europe’s secure and resilient satellite connectivity
Adopted in March 2023, the EU Secure Connectivity Programme (2023–2027) marked a new step towards sovereign and resilient European satellite communications. At its core is IRIS², a multi-orbital satellite connectivity system designed to provide secure governmental communications while enabling high-speed, seamless commercial connectivity. The programme strengthens Europe’s strategic autonomy, protects critical infrastructure and supports connectivity across Europe and areas of strategic interest.
The EU Space Act: A Single Market for Space Activities
In June 2025, the EC introduced its proposal for an EU Space Act, a comprehensive legal framework designed to:
- Complement fragmented national space laws
- Promote safety, sustainability, and competitiveness
- Foster a single EU market for space-based services and technologies
A Forward-Looking Vision for the European Space Economy
Alongside the Space Act, the EU unveiled the Vision for the European Space Economy, which sought to:
- Position the EU as a global space leader by 2050
- Nurture emerging sectors like space mining and in-orbit manufacturing
- Support a resilient and innovative space ecosystem
A new investment framework for Europe’s strategic technologies.
Proposed in July 2025 as part of the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework proposal, the European Competitiveness Fund aims to consolidate multiple EU funding instruments into a single investment framework supporting Europe’s strategic technologies and industries. Covering areas including digital technologies, clean tech, health, defence and space, the Fund is designed to provide a more seamless path from research and innovation to industrial deployment and manufacturing, while leveraging public and private investment to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and resilience.