- Category: Library
- 2026-04-08
The European Commission has put forward a proposal for a standalone regulation establishing the European Union Space Services Agency (EUSPA). The initiative renames the current European Union Agency for the Space Programme and, more importantly, provides it with a permanent legal foundation, moving beyond the limitations of the EU’s multiannual budget cycles.
Towards a permanent and stable mandate
Under the current framework—defined by Regulation (EU) 2021/696 and expanded by Regulation (EU) 2023/588—EUSPA’s mandate is tied to the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Union Secure Connectivity Programme. The new proposal transforms the Agency into a permanent and autonomous body, with clearly defined responsibilities and long-term operational stability.
This shift is not merely institutional. By establishing a self-standing founding act, the EU aims to ensure legal certainty, continuity of operations, and a stable governance structure beyond successive MFF cycles. From 2028 onwards, EUSPA will be integrated into the European Competitiveness Fund, with a proposed budget of EUR 979.6 million for the 2028-2034 period, almost doubling the EUR 525.7 million allocated under the current MFF.
This predictable funding framework is designed to enable long-term planning and reinforce the Agency’s role in implementing Union Space Systems and supporting EU space policy across both civil and defence domains.
Consolidated operational and security responsibilities
The Agency’s objective is to ensure a high degree of security for Union space activities, to support the implementation of Union space components, and to promote the user and market uptake of information, services, and data provided by those components, all those objectives that cannot be achieved by the Member States alone.
Article 4 of the proposal confirms EUSPA’s central role in implementing the EU Space Programme, while maintaining its core security functions. The Agency will continue to ensure security accreditation through its Security Accreditation Board and carry out operational security tasks, including risk and threat analysis, compliance monitoring, and the operation of the space security monitoring structure.
At the operational level, EUSPA is entrusted with the exploitation of the Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) component of the EU Space Programme, including Galileo and EGNOS. Its responsibilities cover the full lifecycle of these systems, from infrastructure management and service provision to upgrades, performance monitoring, and support to certification and standardisation. The Agency will also operate the GOVSATCOM Hub and support the development of applications, data ecosystems, and user equipment based on EU space data.
Subject to operational readiness, EUSPA may take on additional responsibilities across other programme components. These include supporting the security and, where relevant, the management of Earth observation services such as Copernicus, providing secure communications through GOVSATCOM and IRIS² to governmental authorised users, managing certain programme contracts, coordinating user-related aspects of the Secure Connectivity component, and delivering services under the Space Situational Awareness framework. The proposal also foresees a role in ensuring service continuity, particularly in crisis situations.
A reinforced role in the downstream segment
The proposal significantly reinforces EUSPA’s role in the downstream segment. While the Agency already supported user uptake and market development, the new mandate integrates the development of applications, data ecosystems, and user equipment more systematically across Union space components.
EUSPA is tasked with coordinating user needs, promoting the uptake of services and data, and managing user community networks, including for governmental authorised users. It will also analyse service usage and contribute technical expertise to the Commission, including in the definition of downstream-related research priorities.
In addition, the Agency will support broader EU initiatives related to the space economy, including actions under the space commercialisation framework and the CASSINI initiative, as well as activities linked to technological sovereignty, research, and innovation. Cooperation with the Commission to support space operators, particularly on cybersecurity, is also explicitly foreseen.
Strategic outlook
The proposed Regulation strengthens EUSPA’s role as a central implementing body of the EU space programme, combining operational, security, and user-oriented responsibilities within a single framework. The introduction of a permanent legal basis and more stable funding is intended to support the long-term continuity of EU space services.
At the same time, the stronger integration of downstream activities reflects a clear policy objective: ensuring that EU space investments translate into concrete applications for public and private users. In this context, EUSPA is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting the adoption, development, and secure operation of space-based services across Europe.