On Monday 20 November, Eurospace, which represents the space industry sector, published its recommendations for the next European research and development framework programme in the space domain. One particular demand involves a budget for €2 billion over the next multiannual financial framework
Eurospace explained that one of this document’s aims is to convince Europe to catch up with its competitors. There is no doubt that this is a reference to the US and the expansion of New Space and its Space X emblem.
According to the authors of the document, €1.5 billion is expected to be dedicated to research and development and innovative technology (RD&IT) and half a billion for market development. The organisation is also calling for a budget line dedicated to space to be included in the next framework programme.
The space industry is proposing that the next budget dedicated to space is based on four pillars: a pillar on competitiveness and the sustainability of the industrial base and the value chain (€500 million); - a pillar dedicated to innovation for competitiveness (€500 million); - a pillar for European and institutional programmes (Copernicus, Galileo) (€500 million) and; - a pillar for using data (€500 million).
Eurospace is also calling for contributions to the emergence of a joint technological initiative (a long-term public-private partnership) in space in an attempt to develop “ambitious” projects for materials, equipment, software and production processes for European rockets and launchers.
In a letter addressed to the European Commission in September, the Space centre called for at least €20 billion for the next multiannual financial framework (see EUROPE 11882).
The agreements on the 2018 European budget are not expected to be the taste of the Space industry given that a €15 million budget cut for space policy has been decided, €10 million of which will be for the Copernicus programme alone (see EUROPE 11908). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)