Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. EU space industrial policy. Releasing the potential for economic growth in the space sector

Space is more than a technological issue. It always had and will continue to have a strong political dimension which has not been developed properly at European level so far. The European Space Agency (ESA) has been conceived as an inter-governmental research and development agency allowing Europe to develop some unique scientific and technological capacities and placing it at face level with the leading space-faring nations in the world. But ESA is not a political actor. Over the past decades, the political dimension of space has been driven by national policies of those countries most active in space in Europe. However, with increasing competition from new emerging space-faring nations their individual political weights may no longer suffice to address the challenges ahead.

An EU space policy could reinforce the European identity at international political level. At the same time, EU intervention could give space a stronger political impetus, for example by putting in place the right framework conditions to maintain and foster space activities in Europe and its industry's competitiveness at global level. This is where article 189 TFEU, which gives the EU a clear mandate to intervene in space matters, could make a difference.

Space is at the service of the European citizens. Many of the systems and services that are today essential for our well-being and security depend directly or indirectly on space. Without being aware of it, European citizens rely on space technologies when they use their mobile phones, do financial transactions, take an airplane, watch the weather forecast or look for the nearest restaurant in their cars. Space has become part of our daily live.

Space is a driver for growth and innovation, and contributes directly to the objectives of the European 2020 Strategy, Europe's growth strategy for a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. The space sector is both a driver to scientific progress and enables systems and services with growth potential in areas such as telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation.

These systems and services guarantee independence and security for the EU. They help us to address major societal challenges such as climate change, scarce resources, health, or the ageing of our population. They provide us with strategically important knowledge underpinning the EU’s external relations in areas such as development-assistance and humanitarian aid. They stimulate innovation and competitiveness well beyond the space sector, and contribute to economic growth and job creation in almost all economic areas.

Against this background, the EU's space industrial policy should be centred on five specific objectives:
1. Establish a coherent and stable regulatory framework
2. Further develop a competitive, solid, efficient and balanced industrial base in Europe and support SME participation;
3. Support the global competitiveness of the EU space industry by encouraging the sector to become more cost-efficient along the value chain;
4. Develop markets for space applications and services;
5. Ensure technological non-dependence and an independent access to space.

EUR-Lex: COM(2013)108: Follow the progress of this communication through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2013:108:FIN

ESO: Background information: Keeping the EU's space industry competitive and avoiding satellite collisions http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-keeping-the-eus-space-industry-competitive-and-avoiding-satellite-collisions/

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