The 17th European Space Conference began at the SQUARE in Brussels on Tuesday 28 January 2025 with prominent addresses and contract signatures.  

In his keynote speech, the European Space Agency Director General said that a significant funding increase was needed both at ESA and EU levels: “If Europe is to succeed in space and on the global stage, we must act with urgency and purpose. We must increase investment, forge partnerships, and deliver the vision that will elevate Europe to new heights,” he said.

[read full speech here: https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/ESA_Director_General_Speech_European_Space_Concerence_2025.pdf

and watch it here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/01/Keynote_of_ESA_Director_General_Josef_Aschbacher_at_the_17th_European_Space_Conference_in_Brussels] 

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and ESA Director General Aschbacher attended a joint press point available for review here:  https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/01/Joint_press_conference_with_EU_Commissioner_for_Defence_and_Space_Andrius_Kubilius_and_ESA_Director_General_Josef_Aschbacher

The following key announcements were made during Day One of the conference:  

Sentinel-1D 

Entrusted by the European Commission, ESA has signed a contract with Arianespace to secure an Ariane 6 rocket for the launch of the Sentinel-1D satellite scheduled for the second half of this year. (https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-1/Ariane_6_to_take_Sentinel-1D_into_orbit) 

Sentinel-5 

ESA, Eumetsat, the European Commission, and Arianespace announced an agreement to advance the launch of the first MetOp Second Generation weather satellite, which also carries the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission, to August 2025, aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. (https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/First_MetOp_Second_Generation_satellite_to_launch_in_August) 

CO2M 

Building on the initial contract to develop two satellites for the Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring mission, the European Commission and ESA have now entrusted OHB System AG with the development of a third satellite. (https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Europe_s_carbon_dioxide_monitoring_mission_elevated_to_the_power_of_three) 

Envision spacecraft  

Europe is a step closer to returning to Venus as the European Space Agency awarded a contract to Thales Alenia Space to build the Envision spacecraft. Following the discoveries of Venus Express, Envision will investigate the planet’s surface, interior and atmosphere with unrivalled accuracy. (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Envision/Signed_and_sealed_Envision_can_move_towards_construction)

Copernicus Contributing Missions 

Nineteen satellite data companies have signed agreements to provide new or enhanced services to the Copernicus programme in their roles as Copernicus Contributing Missions. (https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/19_New_Space_signatures_for_Copernicus_Contributing_Missions)

IOD/IOV missions w/European Rideshare providers

The European Space Agency signed, on behalf of the European Commission, a series of contracts with small satellite makers to ensure rapid access to orbit through rideshare services for future European innovations. 

The In-Orbit Demonstration and Validation (IOD/IOV) programme ensures that innovative technologies can be effectively tested in space, reducing the time it would otherwise take to bring them to market. 

Also today…  

Sentinel-2C 

Sentinel-2C was declared fully operational in a new milestone in the well-established collaboration between ESA and the European Commission. The satellite has now been handed over for its mission.  

Memorandum of Intent on Earth observation and oceans 

The European Space Agency and Mercator Ocean International signed a landmark Memorandum of Intent to enhance their collaboration in Earth Observation and Digital Ocean activities. This collaboration builds upon the longstanding partnership within the Copernicus programme. 

Images

Direct download link to conference images: 

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ESA’s Photo Library for Professionals:

https://www.esa-photolibrary.com

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Videos

ESA’s Video Library for Professionals:

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos

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About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with other four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions. Source: ESA