New Staff Working Document Highlights EU Space Programme Achievements and Future Potential

The Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space has published a comprehensive Staff Working Document (SWD) that sheds light on the significant achievements and future potential of the EU Space Programme. This document, which aligns with the recommendations from the European Court of Auditors, emphasizes the importance of leveraging space data and services across various sectors to enhance innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable development within the EU.

Leveraging EU Space Programme Data and Services Across Sectors

The European Space Programme implements space activities in the fields of Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation, Connectivity, Space Research and Innovation. It encourages and supports innovation and competitiveness through investments in critical infrastructures and disruptive technologies. Copernicus, Galileo, and EGNOS are key components of this programme. These components support diverse applications, from navigation and timing by Galileo, to precise satellite augmentation via EGNOS, and extensive Earth observation with Copernicus.

Novelties of the Court of Auditors Report

In 2021, the European Court of Auditors assessed the European Commission’s initiatives to promote the uptake of services from the EU space programs Galileo and Copernicus. The audit focused on the Commission's strategic planning, monitoring systems, funding effectiveness, and regulatory measures supporting these services. The ECA found that while these space programs provide valuable services and data, the Commission's efforts had fallen short in fully leveraging the programs' potential and the significant investments made. To address these gaps, the ECA Auditors' Special Report 7/2021  made a set of recommendations aiming at enhancing the Commission's efforts and ensure better achievement of the programs' objectives.

To address the ECA's recommendations for developing a strategy and establishing sound monitoring systems, DG DEFIS publishes a Staff Working Document that provides an overview of user uptake and introduces a conceptual framework for measuring the benefits of space services.

The Staff Working Document (SWD)

The SWD offers a comprehensive overview of user uptake of the data and services delivered by the EU Space Programme. It reflects the inputs received from Member States and discussions in different fora such as the Copernicus User Forum and the different configurations of the EU Space Programme Committee. DG DEFIS also reviewed policy documents and relevant studies for a thorough analysis. This collaborative approach provides valuable insights into the current landscape of the EU Space Programme data and services uptake, being an important input for developing a strategy.

A Conceptual Framework for Measuring Benefits

The conceptual framework to measure the benefits of EU space data and services provides a structured approach to evaluate the economic, social, and environmental impact of the use of the EU Space Programme data and services. It was developed in close cooperation with EUSPA and validated by the OECD, Eurostat, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Space Agency and Member States’ experts.

The framework will be a vital tool for policymakers, industry, and researchers, enabling them to quantify the benefits of EU space data and services, supporting informed decisions to strengthen the EU's strategic capabilities. It sets clear metrics to highlight current benefits and future growth areas, ensuring the ongoing evolution of the EU Space Programme.

These initiatives underline the EU's commitment to maximizing space assets, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable development across member states and beyond.