“It is of vital importance to support our sector, guaranteeing and maintaining its momentum toward the development of innovative technologies in our country”
The space sector is unequivocally strategic, embracing like no other a ‘new economy’ model characterized by innovation, high added value, the generation of quality jobs and exports. In addition to being the driver of great scientific breakthroughs, space has a clear impact in sectors such as communications, transportation, the environment, energy, agriculture and defense & security.
Bestowed with significant versatility and a power for transformation, the space sector is part of our everyday lives, improving citizen safety and quality of life, while at the same time enabling us to specialize in solutions that help us overcome the great challenges we face, such as climate change, natural disasters, wildfires, etc.
This sector has exhibited a robust progress, being competitive at a world level and resisting recession cycles, which makes it a refuge for the economy during periods of economic decline.
As Spanish companies of this sector, we share an unwavering enthusiasm and dedication for Space, which has driven us to create a high-value industrial and professional network by means of continuous investments and a long-term vision.
The ESA has always been the main pillar whereon the national space industry relies, being its main source of technological development, training and consolidation across multiple fields, such as telecommunications, Earth observation and navigation, just to name the ones that have the highest impact in citizen quality of life and safety. In no small measure, ESA’s programs support the development and competitiveness of our companies and their outstanding growth in the value chain, which has enabled us to create jobs and export in commercial and international markets.
The European Space Agency’s Council Meeting CM22 has taken place at a moment of exceptional significance, with major programs that are seeing the light and will largely determine the future of the sector. The foundations are being laid out for the sector to evolve and reach a better position both at a national and international level, and our country should increase its level of contribution to where it should be, lest we see our importance dwindle among our ESA partners.
This sector has exhibited a robust progress, being competitive at a world level and resisting recession cycles”
During CM22, the Government of Spain has approved a 20% increase to Spain’s contribution to the ESA, which reached a total of 300 million Euros per year. This increase, however, does not bring Spain nearly close to the level of contribution that it should have based on its GDP.
In today’s geopolitical landscape, the space program of the European Union and the ESA imply an opportunity for Spain to secure a clear footing among the main EU countries in a sector as strategic as space, which will allow us to strengthen our current space infrastructure and assets, and generate powerful industrial opportunities. We hope that the increased contribution made official in the Council Meeting of 2022 is a first step that sees further development in the near future by means of national and bilateral programs that increase the weight of our country and, by extension, of our industry in the realm of space, bringing us closer to the level of our traditional competitors.
It is of vital importance to support our sector, guaranteeing and maintaining its momentum toward the development of innovative technologies in our country, with the resulting competitive advantages for other sectors of the economy. The Spanish space industry is firmly determined to play a leading role, and we are confident that our Governments will strengthen their support for the sector.
