THE EUROPEAN – SECURITY AND DEFENCE UNION
Space NEWS
Synergies +++ Spin-offs +++ Spin-ins
Creating synergies between innovation in space, defence and civil research (ed/hb, Paris) On 22nd February 2021, the European Commission adopted the Communication on an Action plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries. The main goals of the Action Plan: Synergies: Enhance the complementarity between relevant EU programmes and instruments covering research, development and deployment to increase efficiency of investments and effectiveness of results, Spin-offs: Promote that EU funding for research and development, including on defence and space, has economic and technological dividends for European citizens, Spin-ins: Facilitate the use of civil industry research achievements and of civil-driven
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With the European Defence Fund we have a strong potential for synergies between innovation in space, defence and civil research & innovation. We need this for a number of critical technologies. This action plan is a systematic and methodological approach to synergies in critical technologies across the three worlds. The idea is for innovations to systematically reach multiple uses by design. And to allow tapping into the huge innovation potential of researchers and start-ups.”
innovation in European defence cooperation projects.
Margrethe Vestager, European Commission Executive Vice-President for “a Europe
The Commission announces 11 targeted
fit for the Digital Age”
photo: © EU, 2021, EC-Audiovisual Service/Claudio Centonze
actions that focus on the interplay between civil, defence and space industries. These actions prepare, among
and complementing Galileo/EGNOS and Copernicus as the
others, the launch of three flagship projects with the potential of
third EU satellite system. By integrating quantum encryption,
becoming game changers:
it will ensure highly secured connectivity and communication
1) EU drone technologies to favour technology allowing more
3) Space Traffic Management which should avoid collision risks
automation in drone traffic. This project should enhance Europe
of satellites with space debris. The Commission wants to roll
as an competitor.
out European norms and avoid the risk of dependence on
2) EU space-based global secure communications system to
non-European norms.
elaborate a European system of space communications aiming at providing access to high-speed connectivity through
multi-orbit space infrastructure, including low orbit satellites
Web more information: https://bit.ly/3v3adP2 Web Action plan: https://bit.ly/3ao9H6u
The ESA’s new Director-General (ed/hb, Paris) As of 1st March 2021, Dr Josef Aschbacher has taken up duty as Director-General of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Paris. Dr Aschbacher, born in Austria, has a long experience with the ESA since 1990 when he started at the European Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN) near Rome. After having been Scientific Assistant to the Director of the Space Applications Institute at the EU Commission Joint Research Centre
photo: ©ESA – S. Corvaja
(EU JRC) in Ispra (Italy) from 1994 to 2001, he joined the ESA HQ as the Programme Coordinator, responsible for Copernicus
In 2016, Dr Aschbacher was appointed as Director of Earth Observa-
within ESA.
tion Programmes and Head of ESRIN. Under his leadership, Europe
In 2006 he became Head of Copernicus Space Office at ESRIN
developed the world’s leading Earth Observation Programme.
and was promoted to Head of ESA’s Earth Observation (EEO) Programme Planning and Coordination in 2014.
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Web www.esa.int