Space strategy for Europe

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted an own-initiative report drafted by Constanze KREHL (S&D, DE) following the Commission's Communication 'Space Strategy for Europe'.

Members endorsed the Commission's commitment to maximise the economic and societal benefits of space, increase the use of space technologies by fostering a competitive and innovative European space sector and strengthening the EU’s autonomy, Europe in the space sector and its role as a global player.

Maximising the benefits of space for society and the economy of the Union: the report stresses that space programmes and their services are essential assets in economic sectors and sectors such as energy, climate, safety, health, agriculture, transport, the digital market and local planning. There is also a huge potential in addressing challenges such as migration, border management and sustainable development.

The Commission is invited to accelerate the economic exploitation of the Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus programmes by setting adequate targets for market development and by emphasising the benefits for citizens and businesses of satellite navigation and earth observation data and services.

Members called on the Commission to carry out a systematic space check on compatibility with space programmes before tabling any new legislative or non-legislative proposals.

The report acknowledged the role of space technologies, and of the two EU flagship space programmes, in making land, maritime, air and space transport smarter, safer, more secure and sustainable, and integrated in strategic future sectors such as self-driving and connected cars, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Members also underlined the important role of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in stimulating downstream space markets, most importantly through public procurement.

Fostering a globally competitive and innovative European space sector:  Members called for the enhancement and extension of the dedicated space budget line under Framework Programme 9. They called on the Commission to extend the use of the SME instrument for scaling-up business opportunities in space-based products and services, both within Horizon 2020 and in future Framework Programmes.

The report called on the Commission, in the context of public procurement, to ensure fair treatment of EU enterprises vis-à-vis enterprises from third countries. It highlighted the importance of reinforcing the European industrial base, and of guaranteeing the EU’s strategic autonomy, by diversifying sources of supply and making the best use of multiple EU providers.

Reinforcing Europe’s autonomy in accessing space: while recalling that EU space programmes are of a civil nature, Members are of the opinion that the Commission should analyse synergies between European space programmes and the European Defence Action Plan proposed in November 2016 to ensure overall coherence in this strategic field.

The Commission is called upon to:

• aggregate the demand of institutional customers from the European Union and the Member States to ensure an independent, cost effective and reliable access to space through the use of the European launchers Ariane, Vega and their future evolutions;
• encourage the development of alternative launching technologies and the inclusion of eco-design principles in all launchers and space assets;
• mitigate the risks presented by space debris by enhancing current space surveillance and tracking (SST) services;
• mitigate the risks for EU space assets by taking adequate measures, including, where appropriate, the use of encryption, for the protection of space-related infrastructure against cyber-threats.

The report stressed the importance of securing critical infrastructure and communications as well as space capabilities in the fight against terrorism.

Strengthening Europe’s role as a global actor and promoting international cooperation: the Commission is called upon to promote EU space assets and space industrial capacity in all relevant aspects of its external relations.

In order to ensure a peaceful and safe space environment, Members advocated engaging with international partners to promote norms of responsible behaviour and sustainability, notably in relation to space exploration. They called on the Commission to monitor the existing private sector objectives in the field space mining.