The European Space Agency (ESA) has secured a major rise in funding, confirming a three-year budget of nearly €22.1 billion (£18.7bn). Leaders say the increase is essential if Europe is to remain competitive in a rapidly accelerating global space race.
Ministers Back Bigger Investment
Member states approved the new budget during a ministerial gathering in Bremen, where ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher praised governments for responding to concerns about Europe slipping behind. He said ministers had taken seriously the warning that the continent must invest “in order to literally give wings to Europe’s future through space travel”.
Germany delivered one of the largest jumps in contributions. Space Minister Dorothee Bär told colleagues that Berlin is preparing to commit more than €5 billion, noting: “Last time it was just under 3.5 billion, this time we have set ourselves a target of 5 billion.”
Europe Aims For Lunar Presence
Alongside the budget announcement, Aschbacher shared ESA’s ambitions to secure places for European astronauts on future lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis programme. He confirmed that the agency intends for the first Europeans heading to the Moon to come from Germany, France and Italy, saying, “I have decided that the first Europeans to fly on a lunar mission will be ESA astronauts of German, French, and Italian nationality.”
Plans For New Arctic Space Hub
ESA also revealed a new step in its cooperation with Norway, signing a letter of intent to explore an Arctic Space Centre in Tromsø. The agency said the region holds growing scientific and geopolitical importance, adding that satellite technologies can support climate monitoring, security, energy planning and sustainable development.
A Strengthened Role For Europe In Space
With 23 member states, ESA says the renewed funding will help shape Europe’s long-term space capability, support scientific missions and strengthen partnerships beyond the continent.
Published by Kerry Harrison
Kerry’s been writing professionally for over 14 years, after graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Canterbury Christ Church University. She joined Orbital Today in 2022. She covers everything from UK launch updates to how the wider space ecosystem is evolving. She enjoys digging into the detail and explaining complex topics in a way that feels straightforward. Before writing about space, Kerry spent years working with cybersecurity companies. She’s written a lot about threat intelligence, data protection, and how cyber and space are increasingly overlapping, whether that’s satellite security or national defence. With a strong background in tech writing, she’s used to making tricky, technical subjects more approachable. That mix of innovation, complexity, and real-world impact is what keeps her interested in the space sector.