Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding for the “Space Partnership” with Space association
On 10 September 2024 the European Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the partnership association SPACE AISBL for the co-programmed European Partnership for Globally Competitive Space Systems (“Space Partnership”) in the context of Horizon Europe.
The “Space Partnership” aims at fostering the competitiveness of the space industry. In bringing together the whole supply chain in the identification of key research priorities, it should accelerate innovation and time-to-market of EU space systems.
The “Space Partnership” will increase the involvement of the private sector in the programming of Horizon Europe as of 2025. 100 million EUR of EU-funding will be allocated to the topics proposed by the Space Partnership in domains of satellite communication, Earth observation or space transportation. Private partners are expected to co-invest 120 million EUR mainly through in-kind contributions.
The “Space Partnership” is a pilot case – a new way of working with industry and research institutes in the field of research and innovation. The Commission has consolidated the scope and governance of the partnership with the founding members of SPACE AISBL , in close collaboration with Member States.
The partnership association SPACE AISBL was established in 2024. Its founding members are Eurospace, SME4Space, ESRE, EASTRO and EASN – they represent a large part of the whole space supply chain.
The signature took place in presence of the Director General of DG DEFIS, the Director General of DG RTD, the SPACE AISBL President and representatives of its founding Members.
From left to right: Jean-Charles Treuet, SPACE AISBL President and Eurospace Head of Technology Strategy; Helge Pfeiffer, EASN Secretary General; Catalin Nae, ESRE Vice-Chair; Andy Court, EASTRO, President of the Board ; Timo Pesonen, Director General of DG DEFIS; Kris Vanderhauwaert, SME4Space EU Liaison Officer; Marc Lemaître, Director General of DG RTD
| Acronyms: DG DEFIS Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space DG RTD Directorate-General for Research and Innovation ESRE Association of European Space Research Establishments EASN European Aeronautics Science Network EASTRO European Association of Space Technology Research Organisations |
Source: European Commission
