The EU will develop a satellite network that can beam “very high-resolution geointelligence data” to capitals, along with enhanced military-grade positioning systems, Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a meeting of the European Space Agency’s member states, Kubilius said the new observation network “is crucial” as it will improve response times for defence departments.
“Instead of only once a day, or less, which is the capability we have today,” he said of the imagery provided by existing national satellites, the cadence could be brought down to every 30 minutes with the new network.
In addition, the aim is to bolster the Galileo geonavigation constellation already operating in orbit – a European alternative to GPS – with new resilient systems, Kubilius said.
Next month, the European Commission will publish the first draft of its next seven-year spending plan, set to start in 2028. That’s expected to significantly increase the €15 billion committed last time around to service existing EU space programmes such as Galileo and Copernicus, and pay for the development of more systems.
In November, ESA member states will also convene in Bremen to hash out a three-year spending plan, which Euractiv has already exclusively reported will exceed €21 billion. Cash to help build out a new defence-ready observation network with the EU will come on top of that.
“This is a pivotal year in Europe,” Kubilius told ESA members. “We are working towards decisions that will shape space for the decade to come and beyond.”
(aw)