Which objective(s) does the Commission pursue?

The EU Space Programme under the Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU for the period 2021-2027 (with a total allocated budget of EUR 14.88 billion) is bringing together existing and new components of EU space activities under one single programme.

The EU Space Programme ensures the continuity and development of the flagship programmes - Copernicus, EGNOS and Galileo, the implementation of new components, i.e. GOVSATCOM and Space Situational Awareness (SSA), the promotion of entrepreneurship in the space sector and of the downstream sector, with a particular emphasis on exploitation, market uptake and use of space based data and services.

Data, information and a range of services are provided under the EU Space Programme in the field of satellite navigation by Galileo & EGNOS, for Earth Observation by Copernicus, as well as for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) to help avoid collisions in space. A new Governmental Satellite Communication (GOVSATCOM) component will provide EU and Member States with secure satellite communication. The EU Space Programme and its components will contribute to the priorities for a greener, more digital and resilient EU.

The main objectives of the new programme align with the Space Strategy for Europe¹:

• Simplify the EU regulatory framework for space activities, building on the existing synergies among the different components;

• Streamline the governance structure of the programme, enabling more efficient implementation, simpler audit and control over the entrusted entities;

• Provide the framework for aggregating the launching services for the Space Programme, an essential component for Europe’s access to space, its autonomy and sovereignty;

• Provide the framework for continued and increased investment in the EU space activities, increasing Europe’s technological sovereignty and resilience.

Estimated savings and benefits

From the mid-term evaluations² on the previous space programmes (Galileo, Copernicus and EGNOS), public consultations, and the Space Strategy for Europe³, it was clear that there is strong support to continue EU action in the area of space and to extend it by offering up to date and new services, enlarging EU action to foster a competitive and innovative space sector, and to reinforce Europe’s autonomy in accessing and using space. The evaluations also concluded that the objectives set for the EU’s Satellite Navigation and Earth Observation Programmes (Galileo/EGNOS and Copernicus) under the previous Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU for the period 2014-2020 had been achieved within the allocated budget.

The impact assessment concluded that those activities could be improved with a less complex and more efficient governance structure, enhanced access to Copernicus data, the provision of new services to adapt to new political and societal challenges and the necessity to cover new areas of actions in view of the evolution of the space sector.

As the implementation of EU space activities does not require action by national, regional or local authorities, the quantification of administrative burden was not assessed.

¹ COM(2016) 705 final

² SWD (2017) 346, SWD(2017) 347, SWD(2018) 327

³ COM(2016)705

Outcome of legislative procedure

The proposed simplification measures proposed by the Commission have been maintained during the legislative negotiations.

Following the adoption of the EU Space programme Regulation (EU) 2021/696 in April 2021, the EU space programme rolld out its implementation stage. As the implementation of EU space activities does not require action by national, regional or local authorities, the quantification of administrative burden is not assessed. Nevertheless, throughout the Programme, simplification is sought.

The Commission adopted a Commission Implementing Decision in June 2021 leading to the signature of the Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA) between the Commission, European Union Agancy for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and European Space Agency (ESA), setting out the general obligations applicable to the tasks entrusted to both entities through contribution agreements for the implementation of the EU Space Programme by indirect management⁴.

In addition, a Commission Implementing Decision adopted in July 2021⁵ led to the signature of contribution agreements with other entrusted entities to ensure the continuity of the Copernicus component i.e. the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Environment Agency (EEA), Mercator Ocean International (MOi), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in 2021, and with the European Union Satellite Centre (SATCEN) following the adoption of a Commission Implementing Decision and a signature agreement in January 2023.

The new governance framework facilitates synergies between the space components, the space and defence areas, civil and dual use services and with other EU policy areas. This implies streamlined work programmes and reportings for all the EU space components and more efficient implementation of the programme with simpler audit and control over the entrusted entities.

To reduce costs and planning efficiencies, a framework for aggregating the launching services for the Space Programme has been partially put in place. In 2022, the Commission signed a framework contract with Arianespace for Copernicus satellite launch services to strengthen its autonomous and reliable access to space following a procurement procedure. This contract with Arianespace does not include launch services for future Galileo satellites, for which negotiations are ongoing.

⁴ C(2021) 4351 and C(2021) 4319

⁵ C(2021)5261