EU funds 49 space research projects with almost EUR 200 million
Space - Image Pixabay
(BRUSSELS) - The EU Commission announced the results of 2021–2022 space-related calls for proposals under Horizon Europe Wednesday, with close to EUR 200 million support for 49 space research projects.
Implemented by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) and the EU Space Programme Agency (EUSPA), the selected projects are ai9med at fostering competitiveness and technological non-dependency of the EU space sector, while consolidating flagship components of the EU Space Programme and developing new downstream applications and services.
The selected projects also emphasise European access to space as well as future technologies such as quantum, space weather and space science, says the EU executive.
"Research and innovation plays a key role in the aerospace sectors, fostering the fusion of science and technology in many areas, including weather and climate, metrology, mechanical and power engineering," said Research Commissioner Mariya Gabriel: "This Horizon Europe investment will contribute to build a strong knowledge-based entrepreneurial space ecosystem supporting the transformations towards a European digital-smart and sustainable economy."
Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said: "Now more than ever, it is essential to ensure the independence of the EU for critical technologies, including in the space sector. The allocation of €200 million to space research projects under the 2021 and 2022 programming years of Horizon Europe is a major boost for the competitiveness and innovation of the space industry as well as for our technological non-dependency."
Space-related projects are expected to receive close to €1.6 billion during the seven years of the implementation of Horizon Europe, which represents an average of €225 million per year, also including activities delegated to EUSPA.