LEADERS' OUTLOOK
Building Synergies to Strengthen European Space BY RODRIGO DA COSTA
Executive Director, European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)
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he primary role of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is to ensure uninterrupted, safe, and secure satellite navigation services from the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Galileo. As part of an extended mandate, this agency now promotes commercial utilization of Copernicus data and services. We also closely coordinate Governmental Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM), EU’s satellite communications program focused on user requirements in the Member States. EUSPA is also in charge of security accreditation for all components of the EU Space Programme through its Security Accreditation Board. Our agency has a proven track record of boosting Space innovation and entrepreneurship through various tools. EUSPA is capitalizing on this legacy by providing financial incentives, technical expertise, and market know-how to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, academia, and innovators, so that they can make EU Space an integral part of their businesses. Our role will continue to grow in the coming years as we will be responsible for the launch of Galileo satellites in 2023.
ANNUAL EDITION / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022
Working towards a greener future
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Data from EU Space Programme components, especially Copernicus, is a valuable tool for the Member States, offering trends on atmospheric changes, emissions, air quality, etc. By having access to real-time information about such trends, governments can develop and modify their mitigating policies. The EU satellite navigation system is playing an important part in its green transition, mainly by providing information about key sectors. For example, the aviation sector creates 13.9 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second biggest source of emissions after road transport. It also accounts for 3.8 percent of
