Additional Resource Request from ESA for Europe's Independence in the Space Sector

Before Macron's statement, European Space Agency (ESA) President Josef Aschbacher demanded more resources to establish an independent European space sector at a closed-door meeting attended by ministers and senior officials on Wednesday evening.

Aschbacher asked the participants, "Are we going to be passengers or pilots?" posed the question.

Pointing out that there has been rapid progress in space technology, from satellites around the world to Moon and Mars exploration, Aschbacher said, "In this developing picture, Europe should be positioned as an indispensable partner with its own means."

ESA President Aschbacher calculates that this step will require an annual investment of approximately 1 billion euros for the next 10 years.

Emphasizing that being dependent on external partners is also costly, Aschbacher warned, "Purchasing flights from foreign providers for European astronauts would cost 5 billion euros in 10 years."

Aschbacher noted that this spending would support foreign sectors rather than European ones, which would mean missing the opportunity to create local employment, build technological capacity and autonomy.

ESA member countries are expected to meet at the ministerial meeting in December to determine the road map.

Last year, ESA secured a record budget of 22.1 billion euros to finance its programs for the next three years.