Space

What the EU does

While space can seem far away, its technologies, data and services are deeply integrated into our daily lives. From navigating with your smartphone or car, watching satellite TV, to helping farmers optimise crops, monitoring climate change, and securing our borders, space places a vital role in modern society. The EU’s space policy aims to boost European technological innovation, create jobs and increase economic competitiveness, and maximise benefits for European citizens and societies.

The EU’s main space objectives are

Increase efficiency in agriculture and fisheries for better food security while protecting the environment
Improve crisis response by shortening response times in emergencies using near real-time damage images and secure satellite communications when terrestrial networks are damaged or unusable
Protect the environment and combat climate change via satellite-based monitoring of atmospheric pollutants, greenhouse gases, the ozone layer, and their effects on water quality and natural resources
Increase security by detecting illegal immigration, combating piracy at sea and preventing cross-border crime and supporting law enforcement with space-based data and communication capabilities
Optimise transport in cities, ports, airports and other logistical hubs by improving fleet management, vessel traceability, and preventing collision
Boost the economy by creating high-quality jobs, improving competitiveness, fostering innovation, and improving quality of life for Europeans.

Key figures

More than 30

Number of EU-owned satellites for Earth Observation (Copernicus) and Positioning, Navigation and Timing (Galileo and EGNOS)

10%

Share of the EU’s GDP supported by satellite navigation. Satellite Navigation and Earth Observation enabled over €225 billion global revenues in 2023

Best-in-class capabilities

Galileo is the world’s most accurate satellite navigation system, with accuracy of 20 cm. Copernicus is the world’s largest provider of space data

Areas of action

Galileo

Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) for positioning, navigation and timing services

EGNOS

European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service to enable the use of GNSS signals for safety of life applications in aviation

Copernicus

European Earth Observation (EO) and monitoring based on satellite and non-space data

Space Situational Awareness

Monitoring and protecting space assets

IRIS2

Secure satellite communications system

GovSatCom

Satellite communications for public authorities

Cassini

Supporting European entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs in the space industry

Research, Development and Innovation

Various programmes that support research and innovation in space

Key achievements

In 2023, the European space industry generated €8.5 billion in annual sales, double the figure from 20 years ago. Employment in the sector has reached a record high of over 62,500 jobs in 2023, strongly driven by space start-ups. Over the past 20 years, Europe has doubled its space sector workforce.
The Cassini Space Entrepreneurship Initiative has successfully accelerated and supported dozens of European space startups and SMEs. Its €1 billion growth fund has provided much-needed capital for innovative companies, while also offering skills training, networking and partnership opportunities.
Copernicus produces several terabytes of Earth Observation (EO) data daily, making it the world’s largest EO data provider. The Copernicus open data policy ensures free access, use and sharing of this valuable information.
Copernicus serves hundreds of thousands of users worldwide. The Climate Data Store, for example, has more than 250,000 registered users—just a small piece of the vast Copernicus ecosystem.
EGNOS provides enhanced, more secure and resilient signals, suitable for critical applications such as civil aviation. Nearly 450 airports and helipads in 35 countries use EGNOS to safely guide aircraft landings.
Galileo saves lives! It is automatically activated in most EU countries when calling 112 from a mobile phone. Thanks to the eCall Directive, Galileo helps find car accident victims. Its satellites can pick up signals from emergency beacons and relay the alert and precise location to rescue centres. In 2023 alone, Galileo assisted approximately 1,400 people across the EU in emergencies.
Galileo powers navigation for over 2.5 billion smartphones, helping users find their way, order food, or plan a hiking route through the mountains. Its global coverage extends across land, sea, and air.
To strengthen security, the EU Space Information Sharing and Analysis Centre was launched by the European Commission and the EU Agency for the Space Programme. The initiative brings together EU and Norwegian space companies to enhance resilience and counter emerging threats.
The EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) system helps protect more than 550 satellites worldwide from collisions with space debris or other satellites. These services are provided 24/7 free of charge by the EU SST Partnership and the SST Front Desk at EUSPA to EU and non-EU entities.

In focus

Sentinel: Space photos of the European Space Agency (ESA)

EU Space Act: enhancing market access and space safety

The European Commission has proposed ambitious new measures to make Europe's space sector cleaner, safer and more competitive. Europe’s space rules are currently fragmented, holding back innovation, reducing the European market share and creating extra costs. An EU harmonised framework would ensure safety, resilience, and environmental responsibility, while helping companies grow and scale up across borders.