€14.8 Billion Space Budget Proposal
The European Council and Parliament announced on 16 December they have reached agreement on a €14.8 billion EU space programme to cover the years 2021-2027.
The finances are to be allocated for GALILEO and EGNOS (€9.01 billion); COPERNICUS (€5.42 billion); and SSA [space situational awareness] and GOVSATCOM (€442 million). The empowering regulations will ensure current, secure data and services; better socio-economic benefits, including job creation; enhanced security and autonomy for the EU, and a stronger role as a global leader in space.
The Council seeks to streamline existing legal aspects of EU space policy; provide an adequate budget to sustain flagship programmes, monitor space hazards; provide governmental access to secure satellite communications; and establish rule for governance of the EU Space programmes.
The provisionally agreed text will now be submitted to the Council’s permanent representatives committee on 18 December. Following political endorsement by both the Council and Parliament, it will be the basis for future adoption of the proposed regulation at second reading, which will not happen before the adoption of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027.
