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Major global powers are constantly exploring space both in communication and in facilitating the digital transition: the priorities varied among the states, but the trend is obvious. For example, the EU has introduced the sovereignty’s concept in its cloud procurement, with the aim of advancing the digital transition, while setting a benchmark for secure, compliant and values-based cloud adoption across the public/private sectors. Such an approach highlights the EU’s high ethical quality of digital providers, and aims at meeting European strict digital criteria.
Background
During 2023-24, the European Union has had no independent access to space and was forced to rely on the US launching and maintaining facilities: even recently, Elon Musk’s SpaceX revealed its plans to go public (through the IPO) in the US, allowing people to trade shares in the firm on the stock market. SpaceX makes rockets, offers a satellite internet service called Starlink, and also owns Musk’s controversial artificial intelligence firm called xAI. In 2024, the US invested six times more in public space funding than all European “actors” combined; while China spent 50% more than Europe, the European global share in space declined by 50% in relative terms between 2019 and 2024.
However, the AI and quantum issues are receiving the European Space Agency’s (ESA) support for the innovation research. The AI is one of the digital technologies the agency will focus on, as it has “a huge influence on the autonomy of the spacecraft, on connectivity and on downstream data processing”.
Quantum is another priority, as an area where the conditions in space can help to advance research and where Europe is “very well-established”. R&D efforts will also focus on security, defence and dual use, including defence technologies that could have civil applications, and on sustainability.
The ESA has launched an initiative to explore the AI-quantum technology areas that are needed to have control over affordable digital technologies by the satellites and used in mass production. Reference to: https://sciencebusiness.net/news/european-space-agency/europe-needs-quantum-leap-space-innovation-says-esa-chief
European and global “cloud priorities”
The EU is working on the deployment of the GOVSATCOM Hub, a unique innovative critical infrastructure, to secure SATCOM layer in charge of orchestrating the sharing and polling of key secure communication capabilities, including the space asset resources from the ambitious IRIS2, the new EU Secure Connectivity Program.
The GOVSATCOM Hub coupled with IRIS2 will provide new innovative and essential secure satellite communication pillars to the EU Member States to efficiently address the growing demands of secure applications mentioned and complement those of the existing EU Space Program components for Navigation (Galileo and EGNOS), Earth Observation (Copernicus) and Space Situational Awareness. It also shows that the non-European digital developers operated in the EU member states shall follow these strict frameworks and hence sustain the level of digital sovereignty required.
More in: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/govsatcom-hub
The digital competition in space is in full swing: in 2024, global governments’ expenditure for space programs hit a record of approximately $135 billion: e.g. over half of that the US spends -about $ 80 billion- on its space programs, making it the highest nation’s space expenditure in the world. The United States’ space agency, NASA operates on one of the largest space budgets in the world: e.g. in 2024, its budget reached over $25 billion; it funds everything from robotic missions to human exploration, satellite technology and scientific research in digital components.
NASA’s key development directions in 2025-26 include: – science: $7.25 billion; human landing systems -$2.01 billion (a 29% increase); – aeronautics: $935 million; – space technology: $920 million; and – Office of STEM engagement: $143 million.
Reference to: https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2026-budget-request/
Responsible for civilian space programs, as well space research and exploration, the space agencies among the world have gained in importance over the past decades. Presently, there are six national governments’ space agencies – NASA, CNSA, ROSCOSMOS, ESA, ISRO, and JAXA, with full launch and extraterrestrial landing capabilities.
For example, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is undoubtedly the most renowned facility: since its establishment in 1958, it has worked with international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and beyond, bringing new knowledge and opportunities back to the planet Earth. It is therefore not surprising that most of their budget goes to toward science and exploration; hence, NASA has requested an increased budget for all sectors to over $ 27 billion.
Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/745717/global-governmental-spending-on-space-programs-leading-countries/; and in: https://www.statista.com/study/59030/space-exploration/
The EU space program: main agencies
The program is the first EU-wide integrated space exploration facility to support its space policy, address societal challenges such as climate change and technological innovation, support the EU internal market, etc. Presently, the program consists of several flagship components:
= The European Earth Observation program (Copernicus) researches the planets and the celestial environment, and provides data and information that benefits the European business and political economy.
https://www.euspa.europa.eu/eu-space-programme/copernicus
= The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, EGNOS is the European-wide Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) used to augment the signals of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) so that they can be used for Safety-of-Life applications such as Precision Approaches in Aviation and in other digital facilities.
Presently, EGNOS uses a set of geostationary satellites and a network of ground stations to increase the accuracy of GPS. A new, more powerful system called ‘EGNOS V3’ is currently under preparation: it will strengthen both Galileo and GPS signals, resulting in an even better user experience. Thus, as a regional navigation satellite system, EGNOS’ coverage is limited to Europe and some neighborhood countries.
Ground stations deployed around Europe acquire signals from GPS (and, soon, from Galileo), which are then gathered and processed through a central computing system. Here, differential corrections and integrity messages are calculated. These messages are then broadcast back to users across Europe via a set of three geostationary satellites.
As a result, EGNOS improves the accuracy of GNSS positioning information while also providing a crucial integrity message, which allows the user to get an extremely reliable guarantee on its residual positioning errors (both horizontal and vertical). In addition, EGNOS signals provide the users with a very accurate synchronisation to the UTC.
Source and citations from: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/eu-space-programme/egnos
= Galileo is designed to enable various satellite-based services and applications for a broad spectrum of sectors and users, ranging from aviation and maritime to agriculture and location-based services, providing Europe and European citizens with independence and sovereignty in the provision of positioning services.
As the world’s most precise GNSS program, Galileo provides numerous benefits to businesses and billions of users worldwide. For example, when embedded in everyday products such as in-vehicle navigation devices and mobile phones (4.5 billion), Galileo ensures that users know their exact position with greater precision and accuracy than other available systems.
The services offered by Galileo are also being leveraged to help make Europe’s transport means safer and more efficient. Furthermore, these services are critical in the fight against climate change, playing a crucial role in helping Europe achieve key policy initiatives as the EU Green Deal and Digital Transformation.
Galileo also supports emergency first responders in their search and rescue efforts. Finally, by enhancing European innovation, Galileo plays a pivotal role in fostering the development of new products, services and jobs.
Source: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/eu-space-programme/galileo
= Satellite communications, SATCOM are essential for the resilience and strategic autonomy of the EU and its member states ensuring the daily functioning of the EU digital economy and critical governmental services. Secure SATCOM is a fundamental communications layer enabling security- and safety-critical missions and operations, including crisis management, land and border surveillance and protection of the key infrastructure across the whole EU economy sectors.
The satellite communications sector has witnessed profound transformation driven by new market entrants and the emergence of multi-orbital constellations catering to diverse user demands in fixed, mobile, aero, and maritime applications. Innovations in satellite technology have led to higher throughput, lower latency services and enhanced security. This revolution is happening thanks to many novelties in the ground and space segments: new manufacturing methods, the introduction of higher frequency bands, the development and deployment of Very High-Throughput Satellite (VHTS) Systems in all orbits (GEO, MEO, LEO), the implementation of new technologies enabling very high and efficient configurability of communication payloads and their ground segment and the rise of optical communications and quantum encryption techniques. This development of cutting-edge technologies in novel space and ground segment systems has boosted innovative applications that agile New Space players are embracing to implement services benefiting multiple vertical market segments in both the public and private sectors.
Considering the increase of geopolitical instability, climate change disasters and the uprising of cyber threats, the “Secure SATCOM” program is an essential layer more relevant than ever to enable and ensure the continuity of services across all the vertical markets for governments and businesses in the EU with an augmented resilience and security., As a consequence of this significant increase in the overall challenges faced, the demand for secure SATCOM is on the rise. In particular, the use of SATCOM supporting Crisis Management, Surveillance, and Key Infrastructure in the EU is estimated to increase by a factor of 14 between 2025 and 2040, reaching around 186 Gbps by 2040 (Fixed Satellite Services only)
More in: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/eu-space-programme/secure-satcom
= The Space Situational Awareness, SSA is an essential component of the EU Space Program: it is providing comprehensive knowledge and understanding about space hazards, and plays a key role in ensuring the safety and security of the European economies, societies and citizens who rely on space-based services for communication, navigation and observation applications.
Among specific SSA’s service is the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST), a system of networked sensors to survey and track space objects, together with processing capabilities to provide data, information and services on objects that orbit the Earth. More than 300 organisations are receiving the SST services (Collision Avoidance, Re-entry Analysis and Fragmentation Analysis) through the EU SST Front Desk at EUSPA, and more than 600 satellites are safeguarded from the risk of collision.
https://www.euspa.europa.eu/eu-space-programme/ssa
EU’s financial resources in space programs
The European Union Space Program is backed by a budget of about €15 billion for the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); this funding supports the EU’s space sovereignty and the “new space economy” through three primary components: = Galileo and EGNOS (€8 billion – €9.7 billion): e.g. the EU’s global and regional satellite navigation systems, providing highly accurate positioning, navigation, and timing services. = Copernicus (€4.8 billion – €5.8 billion): as the Earth observation program, which provides essential environmental monitoring and climate change tracking data. = Space Situational Awareness & GOVSATCOM (€500 million): i.e. the funding is dedicated to monitoring space debris, ensuring satellite security and developing secure governmental satellite communications.
The ESA’s member states agreed to increase the agency’s budget to €22.1 billion during 2023-26, reflecting the growing importance of space for Europe’s security and technological sovereignty.
The final EU perspective budget comes close to the €22.3 billion in order to deliver on the goals set out in 2026 in its strategy for 2040, and represents a 30% increase compared to the current budget. Funding focusing on innovation will be the major ESA’s parts, representing 22% of the budget; thus, the ESA’s General Support Technology Program will focus on technologies including AI, quantum, innovative propulsion and robotics.
The US represents 60% of the global space budget, compared to just 10% in Europe; meanwhile, the US defence spending makes up 50% of global space budgets, but less than 15% of European investments.
https://sciencebusiness.net/news/aerospace/esa-members-agree-eu22-billion-three-year-budget
EU mobile satellite services
The European Commission adopted this May a proposal for the selection of mobile satellite services (MSS) providers who will be authorised to use the harmonised 2 GHz frequency band beyond 2027, when the current licenses expire. Spectrum for mobile satellite services is a strategic asset for enabling innovative commercial use, and for security and defence. The 2 GHz MSS band is ideal for Direct-to-Device (D2D) services, providing critical communication capabilities and ensuring access to high-speed internet in areas without terrestrial coverage.
The Commission proposes to establish an EU-level selection procedure for the assignment of this spectrum. Granting an EU level authorisation for the use of the 2 GHz frequency band for mobile satellite services in all EU Member States will ensure regulatory consistency across the EU and allow operators to develop and provide services across borders.
More on proposal in: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/proposal-eu-level-authorisation-systems-providing-mobile-satellite-services-mss
The new 2 GHz MSS Regulation is consistent with the proposal for a Digital Networks Act (DNA), according to which all satellite spectrum is to be authorised at EU level under one set of conditions to allow for consistency across borders.
The Commission’s proposal takes into account the opinions of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group, adopted in 2024, and the ‘Direct-to Device’ Opinion, adopted in 2025. The proposal also takes into consideration the feedback received to the Commission’s 2025 targeted consultation on the future use of the 2 GHz MSS band.
The IRIS-2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the European Union’s Secure Connectivity program; it is set to provide secure communication services to the EU and its member states as well as broadband connectivity for European citizens, private companies, governmental authorities and defence users.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
As H. Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy notes that “more than ever high-capacity, widely available satellite connectivity is essential to strengthen the resilience of the EU’s communication networks”. The new EU proposal will allow provision of satellite and terrestrial connectivity directly to the mobile devices, ensuring that all EU sectors – even in presently unavailable networks – will be equipped with the broadband internet connectivity. Thus, the satellite connectivity has become crucial for the EU-wide governmental services and critical communications.
Source and citation from: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_1170