ESA Director
of Navigation
He subsequently joined the European Space Agency (ESA), where he has played a key role in the creation and evolution of Europe’s satellite navigation systems. He was one of the driving forces behind the EGNOS programme and the main architect of Galileo, Europe’s global civil navigation system. He currently serves as ESA’s Director of Navigation, overseeing European programmes in this strategic domain.
Europe has had, for decades, the technological and industrial potential to compete at the highest level with major space powers such as the United States, Russia, China and Japan”
After more than four decades at ESA, at what point in your career did you feel that Europe was truly ready to compete on equal footing with the major space powers?
Over the past decades, Europe has developed the technological and industrial capabilities required to compete at the highest level with leading Space powers such as the United States, Russia, China and Japan. However, the true catalyst for global success has undoubtedly been institutional collaboration among European states. To compete effectively, critical mass is essential—it requires federation. The creation of the European Space Agency in 1975, and more recently the competencies assigned to the European Union in the Space domain in 2007, have enabled the development of ambitious space programmes with a truly European dimension.
Notable examples include Earth observation programmes such as Meteosat and Copernicus; launcher programmes such as Ariane and Vega; satellite navigation systems such as EGNOS and Galileo; public-private partnerships in geostationary telecommunications satellites; as well as ESA’s flagship scientific programmes and collaborative missions with NASA, Roscosmos and JAXA. These programmes have contributed to building a competitive European industrial base, strong international consortia, leading operators such as Eumetsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, Hispasat and SES Astra, and a European space policy that serves society, the economy and security, while opening access to global markets.
Europe is now well positioned to play a major role in emerging domains such as optical communications, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and small- to medium-lift launchers for low Earth orbit constellations.
Galileo is a testament to ambition, sovereignty, technological excellence, engineering and European unity”
You were the chief architect of the Galileo system. Looking back, You were the chief architect of the Galileo system. Looking back,
From the outset, Galileo was primarily a political and institutional challenge. In the 1990s, the US GPS system became fully operational, demonstrating enormous potential across both economic and defence sectors. In this context, strong political will was required to justify long-term investment in an independent European system—equivalent to, but distinct from, GPS: a civilian system under civilian control.
ESA, through its GalileoSat development and in-orbit validation programme, combined with the political determination of the European Commission—particularly under the leadership of Vice-President Loyola de Palacio—successfully launched the programme, overcoming numerous challenges. These included securing US acceptance of the initiative, culminating in the 2004 agreement on compatibility and interoperability between GPS and Galileo, as well as addressing issues related to business models, governance, service definition, long-term funding, industrial policy, critical technologies, and system security.
Galileo has become not only a technological success but also a pillar of European strategic autonomy. Do you think Europe is fully aware today of the economic, social and geopolitical value of having its own space capabilities?
Galileo is a clear example of ambition, sovereignty, technological excellence, and European cohesion.
After decades of development and deployment, its political and strategic value for Europe is now a tangible reality. With over five billion users worldwide and applications across multiple sectors—including a key role in defence and security operations—Galileo is the most precise and advanced satellite navigation system available, with dual-use capabilities that position Europe as a global leader in this technology.
Galileo also illustrates the importance of equipping Europe with its own space capabilities: access to space, Earth observation and surveillance systems, telecommunications, navigation, spectrum monitoring, data centres and in-orbit services, for both civil and security applications. Achieving this requires coordinated efforts across institutional, industrial and technological domains, supported by long-term budget planning aligned with strategic priorities.
As ESA Director of Navigation, what priorities will define the next generation of navigation and positioning services, particularly in a context of increasing digital dependence and security concerns?
Satellite navigation is currently in its golden age and represents the largest market segment within space applications. However, its success depends on ensuring continuous availability and high-quality service under all conditions, including in crisis and security-sensitive environments. This represents a major challenge, requiring investment in infrastructure robustness, the integration of new technologies, sensor fusion at user level, and diversification through interoperable systems.
The current geopolitical context has highlighted vulnerabilities, leading to ambitious investment plans and accelerated technological innovation programmes approved at ESA’s latest Ministerial Council. These include the FutureNAV programme and its components such as LEO-PNT (Celeste) and OpSTAR. Spain has made a record contribution through the Spanish Space Agency, positioning itself for the first time as the fourth largest ESA contributor, after Germany, Italy and France.
The international geopolitical context has highlighted vulnerabilities that have led to ambitious investment plans and an acceleration of technological innovation programmes”
The Spanish space industry has achieved significant relevance in navigation programmes. In your view,what factors have driven this positioning, and what should be done to consolidate it in the long term?
The Spanish Space industry is a leader in European navigation systems. This is the result of decades of technological innovation in key areas, combined with a pragmatic industrial policy focused on priorities. Spain has demonstrated leadership in areas such as orbit determination algorithms, time synchronisation, constellation control systems, payloads, active antennas, security missions, user terminals, and low Earth orbit navigation systems.
Another key factor has been industrial policy. Spanish companies have successfully contributed to long-term, sustainable European partnerships within ESA and EU programmes, avoiding duplication and demonstrating clear added value.
From your perspective, what role do exploration programmes such as Artemis II play in developing strategic technologies and capabilities for Europe, beyond human exploration?
The US Artemis programme presents significant opportunities for the European space industry. These include space service systems (such as ESA’s contribution to the Orion capsule), lunar communication and navigation systems (Moonlight and Novamoon), robotic systems for exploration and resource utilisation, security and surveillance systems, and data centres supporting both Earth-based applications and deep-space missions. All these systems require advanced research, innovation and industrial development, with spillover benefits for terrestrial and non-space applications. In this context, collaboration between academia and industry is essential.
Receiving the TEDAE Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a career dedicated to European space, What key lesson would you pass on to the next generation of engineers and space professionals?
Space is a unique resource for humanity, and its use carries great responsibility for both present and future generations. Contributing to European space programmes means contributing to the construction of Europe itself—preserving its values, modernising society, strengthening the economy and ensuring security. It is a complex endeavour that requires vision, commitment, leadership, determination and perseverance. Its implementation demands long-term budget planning, scientific and technological investment, and strong industrial capabilities.
Space programmes have significant strategic value, which makes close coordination with civil and security sectors essential from the outset, ensuring that mission requirements align with political priorities and real societal needs. The future of the European space sector will depend on greater integration across disciplines—observation, navigation, connectivity, science, exploration, launch systems and transportation—accelerating development timelines and promoting public-private financing models with shared risk.
Spain already holds a strong position within Europe’s space ecosystem, with significant academic and industrial potential. The recent creation of the Spanish Space Agency provides a clear institutional driver.
To remain competitive and meet future challenges, we must move to the next level.
The Space race has only just begun...
The space race has only just begun”
