The emblems of European space 

On the occasion of EU Space Week 2022, we take a look at the health of European space

EU Space Week 2022 took place this week in Prague, an interesting forum organised by the European Commission to discuss European space technologies and trends.

Space is an area that affects us much more than we think, because satellite technologies provide us with spatial data that help us to improve decision-making, among many other benefits.

The European space sector is the second largest in the world, employing more than 230,000 professionals. In 2021, the new European Space Programme 2021-2027 was established with a budget of 14,880 million euros. This programme standardises the security framework and unifies relevant European space projects such as Galileo, Copernicus and EGNOS under the same framework.

The guardians of European space

Within the EU Space Programme 2021-2027, there are several initiatives that are undisputed leaders in European space:

Copernicus: the world’s most advanced European Earth observation programme. Copernicus services cover six thematic areas: land, sea, atmosphere, climate change, emergency and security, and support a wide range of applications.

EGNOS: the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) is the system that provides essential navigation services for land, air and maritime transport users in the EU.

Galileo: Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) provides enhanced global positioning and timing information with important positive implications for many European services and users.

The space security

In addition to these three iconic programmes, the European Space Programme 2021-2027 introduced new components to strengthen security in our space:

GOVSATCOM: the EU Governmental Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM) programme is a government satellite communication initiative, with the objective of providing access to secure satellite communications for security-critical missions and operations managed by the EU and its Member States.

SSA: Space Situational Awareness (SSA) monitors major space hazards, including collision between satellites and space debris, space weather events and near-Earth objects.

The uses of space technologies

Space technologies have an impact in many more areas than we can imagine. Here are just a few of them: 

· Agriculture and fisheries (crop development, precision farming, fish stocks, drought monitoring…).

· Communication and digital economy (smart phones, satellite communications, internet of things…).

· Search and rescue in urban, mountainous and marine areas…

· Monitoring of climate change and the environment with the management of water, the ozone layer, air quality…

· Monitoring and response to natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, fires, etc.).

· Traffic and transport (aircraft landing, security, navigation systems…).

· Security and defence (border and maritime surveillance, etc.).

· Research and development.