ESA-EU Space Council meetings

ESA-EU SPACE COUNCIL MEETINGS

11^th ESA-EU Space Council – 23 May 2024 

The 11th ESA-EU Space Council, which produced " Draft Resolution on Strengthening Europe’s Competitiveness through Space," took place on 23 May 2024.

The key points discussed were: 

• Space's contribution to European competitiveness and societal challenges: Highlighting the critical role of space in addressing societal challenges, supporting climate action, and driving technological advancements to enhance Europe’s prosperity, competitiveness, safety and autonomous decision-making.
• Boosting the competitiveness of the European space sector: Emphasising the importance of fostering private investment, supporting start-ups and SMEs, and leveraging public procurement to enhance Europe’s space industry. 
• Space as a backbone for European global action: Stressing the need for global rules and cooperation to secure Europe’s role in the global space economy while reinforcing strategic autonomy.

The resolution from the 11th ESA-EU Space Council can be found here.

10^th ESA-EU Space Council – 20 November 2020 

The 10th ESA-EU Space Council, titled "Orientations on the European Contribution in Establishing Key Principles for the Global Space Economy," took place on 20 November 2020.

The key points discussed were: 

• European Space Economy and Post-COVID-19 Recovery: Strengthening Europe's space sector, leveraging commercial opportunities, and integrating space activities into recovery efforts.
• Space Autonomy, Security, and Resilience: Securing independent access to space, protected infrastructures, and enhancing cyber safety and space traffic management.
• Cooperation and Sustainable Transition: Promoting cross-sector collaboration to drive innovation, competitiveness, and support the green and digital transition.

The resolution from the 10th ESA-EU Space Council can be found here.

9^th ESA-EU Space Council – 28 May 2019

The 9th ESA-EU Space Council, entitled "Space as an Enabler," took place on 28 May 2019.

 

 

The key points discussed were: 

• Space as an enabler for social and economic benefits: Highlighting the role of space in expanding knowledge and supporting policymaking across various sectors.
• Contribution of space to addressing global and societal challenges: Stressing space’s role in enhancing Europe’s global position and autonomy.
• Space ecosystem’s importance for Europe’s political and economic challenges: Emphasising the need for a robust space ecosystem for future generations.
• Transformation of the global space landscape: Acknowledging the rise of new actors, both public and private, shaping the space sector.
• Opportunities for enhancing competitiveness and innovation: Underlining the potential of space to boost competitiveness, particularly for SMEs and start-ups.
• Balanced distribution of space applications: Recognising the importance of equitable access to space benefits across geographic and economic sectors.
• Development of innovative European space sectors: Supporting the growth of upstream and downstream space industries.
• Emergence of innovative space-based applications: Acknowledging the role of space in improving the quality of life and creating new jobs.
• Driving innovation through GNSS, ESA, and Copernicus: Encouraging these entities to promote innovation across all market segments.
• Civil or governmental control of institutional space activities: Emphasising the need for civil or governmental oversight of European space programs.
• Protecting European space infrastructures: Highlighting the importance of maintaining and securing Europe’s space assets.
• Autonomous access to space: Acknowledging the necessity for Europe to have secure, autonomous access to space.
• Importance of science, technology, and research: Stressing the significance of space research and its integration across the value chain.
• Collaboration to integrate space with other policy areas: Encouraging efforts to integrate space research into broader policy discussions.
• Need for a strategic vision for Europe’s future in space: Emphasising the importance of defining clear goals and strategic vision for Europe’s role in space.
• Cooperation between the EU, ESA, and their Member States: Highlighting the importance of collaboration for strengthening Europe’s global space competitiveness.
• Cooperation under the “Framework Agreement”: Reaffirming the importance of cooperation between the EU and ESA in shaping European space policy.
• Coherent and progressive European Space Policy: Recognising the goal of the “Framework Agreement” in developing a unified European Space Policy.
• Long-term strategic vision for the European space sector: Calling for a consolidated vision to build a stronger European space sector.
• Regular organization of the Space Council: Encouraging holding regular meetings to discuss European space strategies.
• Future Space Council debates on key policies and priorities: Stressing the need to focus future debates on policies that enhance Europe’s space sector.

The resolution from the 9th ESA-EU Space Council can be found here.

8^th ESA-EU Space Council – 6 December 2011

The 8th ESA-EU Space Council, entitled "Orientations Concerning Added Value and Benefits of Space for the Security of European Citizens," took place in Brussels on 6 December 2011.

The key points discussed were:

• Space for security and sustainable development: Discussing the role of space systems like GMES and Galileo in supporting European security and development, emphasizing the need for continuity and sustainability.
• Security and sustainability for space: Highlighting the importance of protecting space assets and the need for a European Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capability to address threats such as space debris and space weather.
• Exploration: Focusing on the potential of robotic and human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, and the importance of continued international cooperation for future exploration initiatives.

The resolution on orientations from the 8th ESA-EU Space Council can be found here.

7th ESA-EU Space Council – 25 November 2010

The 7th ESA-EU Space Council, entitled "Global Challenges: Taking Full Benefit of European Space Systems," took place on 25 November 2010.

 

The key points discussed were:

• Strategy and investment: Emphasising the need to develop and implement new GMES services, particularly in atmospheric monitoring, security, and cross-cutting themes such as mountainous regions.
• The Contribution of European Space Systems to the monitoring of Climate Change and its Effects: Stressing the need for continuous space observations to better understand climate change.
• Space for security: Addressing how space systems can support security policies.
• Security for space: Focusing on protecting space assets and ensuring space situational awareness.
• The European Vision on Space Exploration: Encouraging a unified European role in international space exploration, building on partnerships like the International Space Station (ISS).
• The Partnership on Space with Africa: Discussing expanding partnerships with Africa to develop/to leverage a global and sustainable development of the African continent, specifically by contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
• The Governance of Space Activities in Europe: Calling for strengthened partnerships between the EU, ESA, and their member states, with clear governance schemes for collaborative programmes.

The resolution from the 7th ESA-EU Space Council can be found here.

6th ESA-EU Space Council – 29 May 2009 

The 6th ESA-EU Space Council took place on 29 May 2009. The meeting focused on advancing key areas of European space policy. 

 

The key points discussed were: 

• Innovation and Economic Recovery Through Space: Emphasising space's role in driving innovation and economic recovery in Europe
• Long-Term Sustainability of the GMES Space Component: Addressing the need for sustainable funding and long-term strategies for the operation of the GMES Space Component. 
• European Strategy and Global Partnerships in Space Exploration: Stressing the importance of developing a European political vision for space exploration and fostering international cooperation.
• Instruments and Funding for the Space Industry: Discussing the need to create EU-specific instruments and funding schemes tailored to the space sector’s requirements. 

The draft orientations from the 6th Space Council can be found here.

5^th ESA-EU Space Council – 26 September 2008 

The 5th ESA-EU Space Council, entitled "Taking Forward the European Space Policy," took place in Brussels on 26 September 2008. This meeting focused on addressing key areas to strengthen Europe’s leadership in space. 

 

The key points discussed were: 

• Europe’s Leadership in Space: Emphasising strengthening Europe as a world-class space leader, promoting international cooperation, ensuring equitable access to space benefits, and guaranteeing autonomous, reliable, and cost-efficient access to space. 
• Space and Climate Change: Recognising the role of space programmes in addressing climate change and supporting environmental policies. 
• Contribution of Space to the Lisbon Strategy: Highlighting space’s contribution to economic growth, employment, and innovation. 
• Space and Security: Addressing space infrastructure monitoring and security, and the need for coordination between civilian and defence space programs. 
• Space Exploration: Affirming the importance of Europe’s role in global space exploration and highlighted the successful launch of the Columbus laboratory. 

The resolution from the 5th ESA-EU Space Council can be found here.

4^th ESA-EU Space Council – 22 May 2007 

The 4th ESA-EU Space Council, titled "Resolution on the European Space Policy," took place on 22 May 2007.This session focused on advancing operational and practical arrangements for the European Space Policy.

The key points discussed were:

• Vision for Europe and General Strategy: Emphasising the strategic role of space in Europe's independence, security, and prosperity. 
• Programmes and Implementation: Supporting GMES and Galileo initiatives.  
• Security and Defence: Highlighting synergies between civilian and defense space programs.
• Access to Space: Stressing maintaining independent and cost-effective access to space. 
• International Space Station and Exploration: Reaffirming commitment to the ISS and future exploration.
• Science and Technology: Stressing the importance of scientific excellence and innovation.
• Governance: Reaffirming the roles of the EU, ESA, and Member States.
• Industrial Policy: Recognising the role of SMEs and the need for competitiveness.
• International Relations: Emphasising improving access to global markets and international cooperation.
• Implementation: Calling for a coordinated strategy for European space activities.

The final resolution from the 4th ESA-EU Space Council can be found here.

3^rd ESA-EU Space Council – 28 November 2005 

The 3rd ESA-EU Space Council took place on 28 November 2005. The main focus was the development of the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) initiative, supporting public policymaking with reliable and timely information.   

The key points discussed were:  

• User-Centric Services and Policy Support: Ensuring a sustained provision of reliable and timely environmental and security information services to meet public policy needs.
• European Earth Observation: Aiming to establish and maintain European non-dependence in Earth observation for informed political decision-making.
• Crisis Preparedness and Response: Focusing on enhancing societal resilience and developing adaptive response tools to address evolving crises.

The draft orientations from the third Space Council can be found here

2^nd ESA-EU Space Council – 7 June 2005 

The 2nd ESA-EU Space Council took place on 7 June 2005. This meeting was a significant follow-up to the first Space Council, focusing on advancing the development of a comprehensive European Space Programme.

 

The key points discussed were:  

• Space Exploration and Competitive Access to Space: Emphasising space exploration and the development of advanced space systems according to user needs, pursuing excellence in space science to maintain a competitive space sector. 
• Space-Based Applications: Prioritising space-based applications like Galileo and GMES to contribute to the achievement of EU policies.
• Investment Planning: Identifying investment needs for the European Space Programme, with funding from the Seventh Framework Programme and Trans-European Networks, while securing investments through Member States' contributions. 

The draft orientations from the second Space Council can be found here.

1^st ESA-EU Space Council – 22 November 2004 

The 1st ESA-EU Space Council took place in Paris, on 22 November 2004. This meeting marked the first joint ministerial-level gathering between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union (EU), held under the EC-ESA Framework Agreement of 2004.   The primary purpose of the Space Council was to provide initial orientations on the European Space Programme, aimed at fostering a unified European approach to space policy.

 

The key points discussed were:  

• European Ambitions: Reinforcing Europe’s ambitions in space, through the development of a coherent overall European space programme, underscoring its growing economic and political impact. 
• Specific Industrial Space Policy: Acknowledging that the unique nature of the space sector required an appropriate industrial policy and special attention from public authorities. 
• Strengthening Cooperation: Highlighting the need to consolidate Europe's space efforts to better harness the potential of space technologies for the benefit of European citizens. 
• Resource Coordination: Emphasising the importance of using available resources efficiently to meet the demand for space services and infrastructure. 

The first orientations on the preparation of the European Space Programme can be found here