European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)

Summary

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe and secure European satellite navigation services, advances the commercialization of Galileo, EGNOS, and Copernicus data and services, engages in secure satellite communications (GOVSATCOM & IRIS2), and operates the EUSST Front Desk. EUSPA is also responsible for accrediting the security of all EU Space Programme components. By fostering innovation in the space sector and above and collaborating with the EU Space community, EUSPA contributes to the European Green Deal and digital transition, enhances Union safety and security, and strengthens autonomy and resilience.

Programme Description

The mission of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is defined by the EU Space Programme Regulation. EUSPA’s mission is to be the user-oriented operational Agency of the EU Space Programme, contributing to sustainable growth, security and safety of the European Union. In the execution of its mission, EUSPA counts on strong partnerships with the European Commission, European Parliament, Member States, European Space Agency, and private actors across the EU.

The EU Agency for the Space Programme:

Provides state-of-the-art, safe and secure positioning, navigation and timing services based on Galileo and EGNOS, cost-effective satellite communications services for GOVSATCOM and soon IRIS2, and Front Desk services of the EU Space Surveillance Tracking whilst ensuring the systems’ service continuity and robustness;
Promotes and maximises the use of data and services offered by Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, GOVSATCOM and soon IRIS2 across a broad range of domains.
Fosters the development of a vibrant European space ecosystem by providing market intelligence, and technical know-how to innovators, academia, start-ups, and SMEs. The agency leverages Horizon Europe, other EU funding, and innovative procurement mechanisms.
Implements and monitors the security of the EU Space Programme components in space and on the ground with the aim to enhance the security of the Union and its Member States; To do so, EUSPA operates the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre.
The EU Space Programme Security Accreditation Board is established within the Agency, representing the security accreditation authority for all of the EU Space Programme’s components.

Vision

EUSPA is the operational European Union Agency for the Space Programme. It adopts a user-oriented approach to promote sustainable growth and to improve the security and safety of the European Union.

In the last two decades, the European Union has been dedicated to developing a competitive, innovative, and beneficial EU Space Programme and infrastructure. The European Space Programme has made significant strides, providing unique services in satellite navigation, Earth observation, and telecommunications, and strengthening both the upstream and downstream sectors.

Space technology, data, and services have become indispensable in the daily lives of Europeans, playing a critical role in supporting the Union’s strategic interests. These services are ubiquitous, and their applications are expanding to various industries, which are increasingly looking to space to develop solutions to societal challenges.

EUSPA’s primary ambition is to act in linking space and users. EUSPA brings all space stakeholders together, allowing them to leverage the synergies of the Space Programme’s individual components to deliver the greatest possible benefits to European citizens and businesses. EUSPA leads the implementation of the EU Space Programme, promotes space-based scientific and technical progress, and supports the competitiveness and innovative capacity of space sector industries within the Union, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.

The EU Space Programme and the services and applications it supports contribute to advancing the European Union’s objectives and achieving its key policy goals and priorities. However, EUSPA believes that we have just begun to realize the benefits that space can deliver, and a future where business and society increasingly look to space as the resource of the future is very close.