On Wednesday 22 April, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) signed an ‘implementation agreement’ to jointly identify strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth observation capabilities and to develop a long-term ‘roadmap’ in support of security and defence. Specifically, the joint study, which will be carried out over a period not exceeding 18 months, will “assess current and future Earth observation requirements, identify critical capability gaps and define technology development priorities up to 2040 and beyond, to ensure that Europe remains well prepared in an increasingly complex and unstable geopolitical environment”, according to an ESA press release. The two agencies will contribute equally to the costs. (CG)