\n<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t27\/11\/2025<\/span> The largest\u00a0contributions\u00a0in the history of the European Space Agency, \u20ac22.1\u00a0bn, have\u00a0been approved at\u00a0its\u00a0Council\u00a0meeting\u00a0at Ministerial level\u00a0in Bremen, Germany.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ministers\u00a0and high-level representatives\u00a0from the\u00a023 Member States, Associate Members and\u00a0Cooperating\u00a0States\u00a0confirmed support for key science,\u00a0exploration\u00a0and technology\u00a0programmes alongside\u00a0a\u00a0significant\u00a0increase in the budget of space applications \u2013 Earth observation,\u00a0navigation\u00a0and telecommunications. These three elements are also\u00a0fundamental\u00a0to the European Resilience from Space\u00a0initiative,\u00a0a\u00a0joint response to critical space needs in security and resilience.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cThis is a great success for Europe, and a really important moment for our autonomy and leadership in science and innovation. I\u2019m grateful for the hard work and careful thought that has gone into the delivery of the new subscriptions from the Member States, amounting to a 32% increase, or 17% increase if corrected for inflation, on ESA\u2019s 2022 Ministerial Council,\u201d said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the face of a challenging geopolitical situation all the States contributing to the ESA budget, and indeed the European Commission, have put their faith in ESA to keep delivering programmes that will support European leadership in space, and help stretch our capabilities on Earth, in orbit, and into deep space. While we celebrated 50 years of achievements this year, the work is only beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Ministerial Council was the first stage of the implementation of ESA\u2019s Strategy 2040, setting the course for European space ambitions and defining the objectives that must be met to achieve long-term goals for Europe\u2019s activities in space and in applications on Earth.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Appropriately, in its 50th anniversary year, ESA has re-committed to science. The Member States have guaranteed an historic increase of 3.5% per year beyond inflation that will enable some of the most imaginative missions in our history and bolster European scientific leadership. The first step will be to deliver the missions described by the Cosmic Vision long-term plan \u2013 including LISA and NewAthena. But the next great leap for science will be enabled by technology development for missions under the Voyage 2050 plan, most notably the ambitious plan to search for life on Enceladus with the large-class mission \u2018L4\u2019 to Saturn and its moon, Enceladus. This mission requires immediate technology development to reach the south pole of Enceladus under ideal illumination.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The European Resilience from Space initiative has been introduced to help support dual-use capacity for Europe. Initial funding will go towards a system giving access to high- temporal and spatial resolution satellite images \u2013 through pooling and sharing of resources and building a network to fill gaps in observations. This will be supported by new navigation services from low Earth orbit and by secure connectivity. The clear mandate for use of space applications for non-aggressive defence purposes signifies an historic change for ESA. It was decided at CM25 that subscriptions will remain open until next year to allow participating states to accommodate the new programme.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The technology to support this programme and ESA\u2019s other innovative missions will be developed using a substantially strengthened budget for technology enablers, critical components, digitalisation and emerging technologies. Non-dependence in technology is key to advancing Europe\u2019s ambitions in space, alongside its guaranteed access to space.<\/p>\n A range of key activities in the European space ecosystem will be strengthened:<\/p>\n ESA Member States have confirmed their commitment to exploration, with robust plans to enhance international partnerships. The Rosalind Franklin mission to land a rover on Mars is funded towards a launch date in 2028, while ESA will prepare missions to the Moon, the most important being the Argonaut lander. ESA will work on de-risking a range of other technologies to support European presence in low Earth orbit and beyond in the coming decades. Meanwhile, ESA and its Member States have agreed to implement short-term actions to guarantee European astronauts\u2019 access to the International Space Station until its planned end of exploitation in 2030. The development of the LEO cargo return service was also confirmed at CM25 including two demonstration missions aiming at docking to the ISS. An interim meeting at Ministerial level is planned before CM28 to adjust to changes anticipated in international cooperation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Three important missions account for the majority of funding in space safety and security: Ramses, Rise and Vigil. The Ramses mission, to be built on a tight schedule to intercept the asteroid Apophis on its close encounter with Earth in 2029 is funded, and will help to prepare for future potentially hazardous asteroids. The Vigil space weather mission, originally endorsed by CM22, will continue to implementation with the spacecraft expected to undergo preliminary design review early next year. To reduce waste in space in the future, the testing of on-orbit servicing will be funded through Rise, a partnership with industry.<\/p>\n The SAGA spacecraft \u2013 a demonstration mission for quantum communication – will move to construction and implementation. The Moonlight programme which envisages lunar communications and navigations services will continue development.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n ESA has signed letters of intent with a view to preparing new centres to be hosted in two Member States. A letter of intent has been signed with Poland to examine the possibility of hosting a new centre specialising in security and dual-use\/multi-use applications. Meanwhile, a letter of intent between Norway and ESA will allow both sides to evaluate the establishment of an ESA Arctic Space Centre in Troms\u00f8.<\/p>\n Two Resolutions were approved during the Ministerial: the Resolution on Elevating the Future of Europe through Space; and the Resolution on the Level of Resources for the Agency\u2019s Mandatory Activities for 2026-2030.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t118<\/span> views<\/small><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3<\/span> likes<\/small><\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\nEmpowering Europe to lead in space science <\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBoosting European security and resilience <\/h2>\n
ESA technology at the heart of all missions <\/h2>\n
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Advancing exploration capabilities <\/h2>\n
Defenders of the Earth <\/h2>\n
New ESA activities in Member States <\/h2>\n