ESA and EDA launch joint study to strengthen Europe’s Earth observation capabilities

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) have signed an Implementing Arrangement to jointly identify strategic and technological gaps in Europe's Earth observation capabilities and develop a long-term roadmap in support of security and defence.

The agreement was signed on 22 April in Brussels, Belgium, by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and EDA Deputy Chief Anders Sjöborg.

The joint study will assess current and future Earth observation needs, identify critical capability gaps and define technology development priorities up to 2040 and beyond, ensuring that Europe remains well prepared in an increasingly complex and volatile geopolitical environment.

The study will build on long-standing cooperation between ESA and EDA and will be carried out over a period not exceeding 18 months. Both organisations will contribute equally to the costs.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said: "Following the mandate given by our Member States to step up ESA's role in security and defence, this agreement marks a meaningful move from intent to delivery. Through initiatives such as the European Resilience from Space (ERS), ESA is already responding to Europe's urgent security capability needs. Strengthening our partnership with EDA allows us to align technology development more closely with both current and future operational and strategic requirements."

ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes Simonetta Cheli, who was present at the signature, added: "Earth observation is a cornerstone capability for security and defence. Through this joint study, ESA and EDA will consolidate knowledge, highlight priorities and create a long-term vision to reinforce Europe's Earth observation capabilities in a coherent and efficient manner."

EDA Chief Executive André Denk said: "In security and defence, knowledge is power, and from orbit, knowledge is constant, impartial, and without borders. That's why we invest today in foresight and resilience, creating the analytical basis to guide future research and development priorities. Together with ESA, we will be identifying the most promising technological pathways to ensure that the EU retains Earth observation capabilities in support of the security and defence of our continent."

The study is conducted within the framework of the 2011 Administrative Arrangement between ESA and EDA, and builds upon past cooperation experience related to Earth observation between the two organisations. It will also contribute to the implementation of ESA's ERS initiative and to broader efforts in strengthening Europe's resilience and autonomy.

The Implementing Arrangement was approved by ESA Council in March 2026 and represents another milestone in ESA's ongoing organisational and programmatic adaptation to new responsibilities entrusted by its Member States at the ESA Council at Ministerial level in November 2025 in Bremen.

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About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with three Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.

Learn more about ESA at https://www.esa.int.