Spain reinforces its leadership in space with a €1.5 billion contribution to the European Space Agency

Morant highlighted the Government of Spain's commitment to the aerospace sector by increasing Spain's annual contribution to the ESA by 50% from 2019. Spain will allocate €1.5 billion to the European Space Agency (ESA) over the next five years, which will reinforce Spain's leadership in space.

The Minister for Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, participated in the ESA Council of Ministers, held in Paris, which brought together representatives of the 22 Member States to reinforce European space objectives and ensure that space activity continues to serve the public.

Morant highlighted the Ggovernment of Spain's commitment to the aerospace sector by increasing Spain's annual contribution to the ESA by 50% from 2019. She also pointed out that this investment translates into more opportunities for Spanish companies following the geo-return criterion and increases Spain's capacity to lead space programmes in Europe.

ESA Member States receive contracts of a value proportional to their contribution to the agency, and it is estimated that this investment provides an additional turnover to Spanish companies of over two euros for every euro invested.

In recent years, the rate of return on contracts for Spanish companies has been 106%, which represents a surplus for Spain of €74 million.

Furthermore, space is a key instrument for addressing major societal challenges, such as the fight against climate change, the prevention of natural disasters, cybersecurity or telecommunications with the aim of improving people's lives.

Spanish leadership of European scientific programmes

ESA has just approved the ARRAKIHS mission, the first mission by the European Space Agency's Science Programme to be led by Spain. This project aims to study dark matter in the universe, which is five times more abundant than ordinary matter.

Additionally, the Spanish contribution and the capabilities of the national industry will provide and consolidate the leadership of relevant projects associated with space security or Earth observation, such as the EU-ESA Copernicus programme, which has been providing data from multiple events, such as the eruption on the island of La Palma.

Spanish companies will also vie for leadership of the new satellite navigation initiative, which will complement the Galileo system (European GPS), called LEO PNT.

The Government of Spain will promote new initiatives for start-ups through the ESA training centres (ESA BICS), which will double in number and will be funded with the same budget.

Non official translation