Brussels – At the event organized yesterday, Nov. 28, in Brussels by the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union, discussions were held on how to strengthen space cooperation in the EU. Ahead of National Space Day on Dec. 16 and today’s (Nov. 29) meeting of the EU Competitiveness, Research and Space Council, the event enabled the exchange of visions between national and European representatives and experts in the field, such as Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, the first European woman to head the International Space Station.
One of the main themes was the growth of the space sector, a foundational component of the European future. The same indication from the Council had come from Thomas Dermine, Belgian State Secretary for Recovery and Strategic Investment: “The space sector will play an increasingly important role in Europe’s strategic autonomy. An ambitious space policy will create entrepreneurial opportunities and quality jobs in this fast-growing sector. It will also help our economy—both industry and services—accelerate green and digital transitions and be better prepared to compete globally.”
At a time of great change, even from the European Competitiveness Report by Mario Draghi, an appeal came not to get crushed by other international powers by changing the rules and avoiding the fragmentation that prevents the sector from developing fully. Yesterday’s panel also discussed competitiveness, focusing on how governance and investment can help the space sector become a European excellence.
It is crucial that space policies, integrated with defense policy, become a central element of #Europe action.
Italy is strongly committed to this front: we have allocated €7.3 billion between now and 2026 in the #SpaceEconomy sector and… https://t.co/PtwxH1s9v6
– Adolfo Urso (@adolfo_urso)
November 28, 2024
Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso, who attended the event, strongly reiterated the message, hoping that a common position on space-related governance will come from the EU, especially from the von der Leyen bis.
Given its technological, scientific and industrial capabilities, Italy’s role is potentially crucial and must fit into the broader landscape of EU collaboration. The need to promote dialogue with Italian officials in the EU and agencies to strengthen their role and create synergies with national objectives also emerged.
A defined project is needed at the European level, as Simonetta Cheli, director of Earth observation programs at ESA (European Space Agency), also writes: “We need to work together to sustain European excellence and strengthen Europe’s role in space.”
Cheli echoes the words of ESA’s director, Josef Aschbacher, regarding the commitment coming from the EU and the agency that deals with space: “Innovation is the cornerstone of prosperity, but Europe has struggled to match the pace of its global competitors [….] Europe must pursue inclusive economic growth, focusing on sustainable competitiveness, economic security, autonomy, and fair competition.”
Europe is asked to prepare adequate funding consistent with overall economic goals while respecting ambitions for a green and digital transition and key EU policies. For this, ESA is crucial since it has the technical expertise, and the synergy between the EU and its agencies gives an extra boost to the goals to be achieved, especially to conjugate space programs with defence objectives.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
