Space programme 2021–2027 and European Union Agency for the Space Programme

The European Parliament adopted by 483 votes to 68, with 19 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the space programme of the Union and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and repealing Regulations (EU) No 912/2010, (EU) No 1285/2013, (EU) No 377/2014 and Decision 541/2014/EU.

The issue was referred back to the committee for interinstitutional negotiations.

The main amendments adopted in plenary concern the following points:

Aim of the proposal

The Commission’s proposal seeks to merge in a single Programme the existing Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus and adds two new initiatives, namely support for space surveillance and tracking of space objects and debris (SST) and Govatscom, the government satellite communications initiative.

Given that around 200 000 professionals are employed in the Union space sector, Members considered it essential to continue developing the state-of-the-art infrastructure of that sector and thereby stimulate upstream and downstream economic activities.

General objectives

The Programme shall include measures to ensure autonomous access to space, tackle cyber threats, foster an innovative and competitive space sector, and to encourage space diplomacy. In particular, it shall:

- provide high-quality and up-to-date secure space-related data, information and services without interruption and wherever possible at global level;

- maximise the socio-economic benefits, in particular by strengthening the European downstream sector, thereby enabling growth and job creation in the Union and promoting the widest possible uptake of services and use of the data, information and services provided by the Programme's components both within and outside the Union;

- enhance the security, including cybersecurity, of the Union and its Member States, and reinforce its strategic autonomy, in particular in industrial and technological terms;

- strengthen the European industrial and scientific ecosystem in the field of space, by establishing a coherent framework that combines the excellence of European training and know-how, the development of high-level design, manufacturing capabilities and the strategic vision needed in an increasingly competitive sector;

- strengthen the Union’s space diplomacy and encourage international cooperation to raise awareness of space as a common heritage of mankind;

- promote Union technology and industry and foster the principle of reciprocity and fair competition at international level;

- enhance the safety of the Union and its Member States in various fields, in particular in transportation (aviation, including unmanned aerial vehicles, rail transports, navigation, road transports, autonomous driving), infrastructure building and monitoring, land monitoring and environment;

- foster the development of a strong and competitive Union space economy and maximise opportunities for Union enterprises of all sizes and all Union regions.

Budget

Parliament proposed that the financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021-2027 be set at EUR 16.9 billion in current prices. This shall be broken down as such:

- Galileo and EGNOS: EUR 9.7 billion;

- Copernicus: EUR 6 billion;

- SSA/GOVSATCOM: EUR 1.2 billion.

European Agency

It is proposed to change the name of the current European Agency for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and to give it more tasks and resources. The Agency's headquarters would be located in Prague (Czech Republic). Depending on the needs of the Programme, the Agency may establish local offices.

Role of the Commission

The Commission shall assume overall responsibility for the implementation of the Programme, as well as responsibility in the field of security for those components of the programme not entrusted to the Agency.

The Commission would ensure the optimal protection of the Union's interests, the sound management of its funds and the application of its rules, in particular those relating to public procurement. It should therefore conclude a financial framework partnership agreement with the Agency and the European Space Agency on the tasks entrusted to the two entities.

The Commission shall also ensure complementarity, coherence and synergies between the programme and other Union actions and programmes.