The EU Agency for the Space Programme started its operation in Prague

 “We use space applications and satellite systems on daily basis. The modern society depends on them. That is why I am pleased that the new EU Agency for the Space Programme has its headquarters in the Czech Republic. It is a huge opportunity for our businesses and experts and also an excellent result of our joint negotiations in the EU”, said minister of transport Karel Havlíček.

Beside operation, safety and development of satellite navigation systems Galileo and EGNOS, EUSPA will be also responsible for safety accreditation across the entire EU Space Programme, market development and practical application of the satellite systems, contact with potential users and collection of their requirements, preparation of specifications for new generations of European satellite systems, etc. One of EUSPA’s new tasks will be also supporting innovations and star-ups and setting priorities for the space part of the EU framework programme for research and development, Horizon Europe.

EUSPA replaces the former agency for the European global navigations satellite system Agency (GSA), which resided in Prague since 2012, and significantly broadens its activities and strengthens its competence.
Satellite navigation and Earth observation is widely used in many sectors, such as transport, logistics, agriculture, management of natural resources, monitoring of environment, smart cities etc. Satellite systems will also contribute to development of autonomous systems. The importance of satellite systems and their protection is increasing, which was also a reason for creation of a programme and development of its infrastructure and services. 

The Ministry of Transport, the responsible authority for most of the space activities in the Czech Republic, strived for strengthening of GSA and was the main negotiator for the Czech Republic. It took 8 years and the Ministry worked closely with the Permanent Representation in Brussels, the Office of the Government, other ministries and the government representative for cooperation with GSA. The key role also played a close cooperation with the European Parliament, especially MEP Evžen Tošenovský and his team. “The state administration acted as one, which was a key to success”, said the head of Space Technology and Applications Unit at the Ministry of Transport.

Thanks to successful negotiations in the EU, the Czech Republic can host a unique technology-oriented agency, which is important also to other EU Member States. The importance of space activities and satellite systems, which are used by billions of people everywhere on daily basis, is growing fast.

EUSPA headquarters brings huge opportunities for the Czech Republic. Czech businesses can be at the source of information without needing to fly to Brussels for meetings. Expert background of EUSPA and its competence entices foreign technology companies that will be coming for meetings in Prague. And it is also a big opportunity for Czech experts because beside satellite systems experts, EUSPA is looking for lawyers, financial, security and marketing experts and many more.

For more information, visit EUSPA website. Information about the Czech space industry are available at Czech Space Portal.