The EU Space Programme provides, maintains and promotes the use of space data, information and services to support the Union’s political priorities. It also fosters the development of European space industry, enhances the security of the Union and its Member States, it reinforces autonomy in areas of strategic importance and promotes the role of the Union as a strong global space actor. Space technology, data and services are indispensable in the daily lives of Europeans, and key for Europe to reinforce autonomy in areas of strategic importance and for implementing the Union's political priorities such as the green deal and the digital strategies to tackle climate change, sustainability, safety and security. Thanks to major investments, the EU has a strong edge in space activities and the European space industry is one of the most competitive at the global stage. However, there are many new challenges and actors across the world. The EU Space Programme bundles financial and technical capacities of Member States and yields economies of scale for the public spending involved. Furthermore, provision of data and services throughout all Member States requires coordination at Union level. Given the requirements in terms of security, all Member States must be involved. The EU Space Programme pursues the following objectives: - to provide state-of-the-art, robust and secure positioning, navigation and timing services;
- to deliver accurate and reliable Earth Observation data, information and services;
- to enhance Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) capabilities for purposes such as monitoring space objects and space debris, and providing space weather services;
- to ensure the long-term availability of reliable, secure and cost effective satellite communications services;
- to support an autonomous, secure and cost-efficient capability to access space;
- to foster the development of a strong Union space economy by reinforcing the competitiveness, innovation, entrepreneurship, skills and capacity building in all Member States and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups.
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