Spain’s voice on Space
The existence of a Spanish Space Agency had been a long term goal of the space sector industry a fact that was made clear in the Sectoral Agenda of the Spanish Space Industry published in October of 2019.
The leading countries in our vicinity with which we
frequently collaborate in space programs and missions have their own national agencies, regardless of their membership in other international agencies such as the European Space Agency.
Now, the Spanish Space Agency will allow for a better
coordination between institutional organizations and
industries that operate in the space sector. It will
establish a national policy both for the public and private
sector, and bestow Spain with a unified presence in the
complex and competitive international arena to defend
the interests of Spain in matters related to space.
There is now no doubt in anyone’s minds that space
programs and their applications are fundamental
assets in political environments and economic sectors;
for energy, climate, the environment, security and
defense, healthcare, agriculture and food policy, for
transportation, tourism, digital markets and mobile
communications, for the regional policy and for local
governance.
For this reason, counting with a structure
that efficiently coordinates the various national
departments with the responsibilities of the space
sector is of extreme importance in a changing world.
In a sector such as Space, the Spanish Space Agency is, above all, an institutional interlocutor of the first order”
In addition to this, more and more
often the equipment, components
and instruments used in the space
sector, as well as space data and
services, are becoming dual use.
Because of this, the dual affiliation of
the agency to the Ministry of Science
and Innovation and the Ministry of
Defense must guarantee the space
security and defense objectives
established in our national strategies
and directives. The agency must be
the tool that offers a priority response
to the requirements established by our
Armed Forces in matters of defense
and that helps in their fulfillment.
When it comes to industry, the
agency will boost and streamline the
Spanish space sector, fostering its
development and competitiveness
to encourage the participation of
companies in new international
programs and missions.
We therefore
believe that having a National
Space Plan that complements our
involvement with ESA can be the
right tool to accomplish this. And,
furthermore, that the new structure
as an agency will facilitate a muchneeded
coordination to optimize the
efficiency and effectiveness of the
available financial resources.
If there is anything that sets space
apart from many other sectors of the
economy, that is its global benefit to
society. The activity and presence
in space improves our lives on Earth,
helps us answer questions about the
origin of the universe and the human
being, and has changed the way in
which we relate to each other as
people.
In spite of this, and of the
continued efforts of our association,
TEDAE, in this mission, we must still
persevere in conveying to society and
the public opinion the immense value
of participating in space for countries
and for people. Being aware of this
need, the agency will have a Space
and Society unit that will work toward
this end.
Because the fact is that, in a sector as
global as space, the Spanish Space
Agency is, first and foremost, a toplevel
institutional representative. This
role will enable Spain to increase
the footprint of the space sector
in the world, and in particular, in
Ibero-America, of whom we must
be natural partners.
Moreover, the
existence of the Spanish Space
Agency will foster the relationship
with other international agencies
and the possibility of entering into
partnership and bilateral agreements
with other countries as the sole
representative in matters of space,
as well as access to forums where we
had never participated in the past.
If there is one thing that distinguishes Space from many other sectors of the economy, it is its benefit to society”
In conclusion, now comes the time to
give continuity to, and consolidate, our
Space Agency as an instrument that
gives prestige to our sector, which
develops an industry that serves
citizens and projects Spain’s image
as a modern country committed
with the future. The Spanish Space
Agency is our voice on space.
