The Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) plays a crucial role in developing and enforcing the regulatory frameworks that govern space activities within the European Union.
It implements the Union's Space Programme while assessing current trends, identifying emerging challenges, and ensuring that the objectives of the Space Programme are aligned with broader EU priorities such as innovation, economic growth, and security.
DG DEFIS also actively supports the growth and competitiveness of the European space industry. It does so by providing targeted incentives (with a special focus on SMEs), fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, promoting technology transfers, and facilitating access to finance and markets.
The Union's first ever Space Programme
The EU Space Programme is the first integrated space programme created by the European Union to support its space policy, address societal challenges such as climate change and technological innovation, support the EU internal market – and more. The European Space Programme implements space activities in the fields of Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation, Connectivity, Space Research and Innovation. It encourages and supports innovation and competitiveness through investments in critical infrastructures and disruptive technologies.