By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The European Space Agency
(ESA) and the European Commission are strengthening cooperation to secure
Europe’s independent access to space, with a focus on aligning demand,
supporting European launch capabilities and creating the conditions for the
space industry to invest and grow.
ESA Director General Josef
Aschbacher highlighted the need for closer coordination between the European
Commission, ESA, EU Member States and industry in a statement following the
Paris Space Summit.
Aschbacher said European
cooperation has been central to the development of major programmes including
Copernicus and Galileo, with ESA serving as the European Union’s trusted
partner and implementing agency for its space programmes.
He said the next phase of
cooperation should build on these programmes by creating clearer demand for
European launch services and strengthening the capabilities needed to maintain
Europe’s access to space.
Europe’s launch sector is
supported by Ariane 6 and Vega-C, alongside a growing new generation of
European space companies. Aschbacher said these capabilities provide a strong
foundation, but continued coordination and investment will be necessary to maintain
Europe’s competitiveness and technological autonomy.
European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen also stressed the importance of collective
European action at the Paris Space Summit, arguing that Europe’s strength in
space lies in its ability to work together.
The partnership between the
Commission and ESA is expected to support the development of a more coordinated
European space market while providing industry with greater confidence to
invest in new technologies and launch capabilities.
Aschbacher said Europe must
combine the strengths of its institutions, governments and private sector
around a shared vision and common ambition.
