A bold new policy vision for Europe in space for the coming decades by the European Space Policy Institute, Europe’s independent think-tank for space
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Proposing a vision for Europe in space, ESPI2040 Space for Prosperity, Peace and Future Generations outlines how space can provide solutions to respond to the unprecedented challenges Europe and the world are facing, and how space can be a source of inspiration for society.
Calling upon Europe to voice a clear political will and act on Europe’s ambitions in space, ESPI2040 defines measurable goals for Europe in 2040 and an agenda for ESPI to support this vision, building on Europe’s achievements to engage in the space revolution, and affirm Europe’s role as a strong partner to the world.
Emphasising the policy impact of space and underlines its transformative nature, which affects all aspects of our daily lives, economies and Europe’s digital future, ESPI2040 is proposed at a time when Europe lacks the political will at the true scale of its economic power and talent to become a full space power.
Europe has all the prerequisites to develop into a full space power, by bringing together, federating and developing the excellence of its European, national and industrial capacities.
Europe’s achievements in space have already enabled unique benefits, supporting and transforming other policy domains and sectors of the economy, e.g.:
However, what is missing is a clear political will and a whole-of-Europe vision beyond the perceived bounds of space systems, which would precipitate policy impact.
The ESPI2040 vision for Europe proposes to define and implement policy action on three levels and their interconnections:
ESPI2040 proposes a vision for Europe in space. It outlines how space can provide solutions to respond to the unprecedented challenges Europe and the world are facing and how space can be an inspiration and catalyst for Europe and the world to tackle its challenges.
ESPI2040 defines a goal for Europe in 2040, and the ESPI Agenda to support this vision, building on Europe’s achievements to engage in the space revolution, and affirm Europe’s role as a strong partner to the world.
ESPI2040 emphasises the policy impact of space and underlines its transformative nature, which affects all aspects of our daily lives, economies and Europe’s digital future.
ESPI2040 aspires to look beyond the timescale of electoral cycles and governmental policymaking, beyond the volatility of the economy and financial markets, beyond the horizon of direct return on investment, and beyond individual decision-making milestones of space programmes.
ESPI2040 addresses policy makers and institutions, industry, economic actors and finance, academia and the scientific community, and the media: aspiring to contribute to an open debate on a bold vision, with concrete and ambitious goals and an implementation that delivers tangible results.
The document is broken down into the following sections:
ESPI2040 calls upon Europe to engage in a collective debate, for Europe to voice a clear political will and act on Europe’s ambitions in space. ESPI’s proposal will be developed further, together with ESPI members and in consultations with other European stakeholders and international partners. This will be reflected in ESPI’s Agenda, with an implementation plan to guide the realisation of the vision. ESPI is determined to fulfil its mission and to support Europe’s decision makers and institutions in their ambitions and remains fully convinced that Europe today has all it takes to be successful in this endeavour and to develop into a full space power and strong global partner.
Read and download your copy of this bold new policy vision here.