#ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher gives a speech at the 2023 Space Summit in Seville underlining the necessity for the EU's autonomy,

increasing EU's autonomous access to space, and, "stimulate commercialization" by increasing the public-private partnership with the space startup economy and innovators: "Dear President of the EU Competitiveness Council for space, Dear Ministers, Dear Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen. You have raised three questions, and I will address them in turn:1 – Resilience of European space systems and protection of our assets: Europe and the world have been hit with unprecedented crises. On one hand these crises have undeniably showcased the importance of space as a symbol of power, sovereignty, and security. We have seen this very clearly in the war in Ukraine. Space as a strategic tool becomes even clearer.On the other hand, the vulnerabilities of space assets have become more evident. The escalating risks require more autonomy and resilience. Over the years, the European Space Agency has consistently demonstrated its commitment to mitigating risks and enhancing the resilience of both public and private space assets. ESA stands firmly alongside the European Commission, and we pledge our unwavering support for the successful execution of the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. With our extensive capabilities, we are fully equipped to assist the European Union and its Member States in their ambitious plans. At our November 2022 Ministerial Council, ESA Member States approved and funded programmes that encompass secure connectivity, space safety, cybersecurity, and space for civil security. But security for people also includes addressing the climate crisis. At the forefront of our priorities remains the fight against climate change and crises that emerge from it. Our satellites play a vital role in monitoring, understanding and characterising climate change, providing invaluable scientific data and services.

Another topic is security of our critical space infrastructures. How can we do this?

We need to act where the risk is high: debris in orbit. ESA wishes to be a role model by adopting a zero debris approach, ensuring that every ESA mission reaches zero debris by 2030.

The Summit will see an open invitation to all actors, public and private, to sign a Zero Debris Charter, emphasising the urgent need for collective action.ESA’s roadmap is straightforward:1. Support the future space traffic management framework and develop essential technical building blocks.2. Demonstrate active debris removal systems.3. Stimulate commercialization; 4. Protecting our assets in orbit building on the pre-operational Space Weather Service Network which we have set up in recent years.

2 – How to reduce technology dependencies This issue has risen to prominence in the recent years, highlighting vulnerabilities in the supply chain. The European Space Agency, the European Commission, and the European Defence Agency have joined forces to ensure autonomous and unrestricted access for Europe to critical technologies. The key technologies are electrical, electronic and electro-mechanical components.

But other technology domains, such as materials and manufacturing processes, propulsion and optics – to name only a few – are covered as well.The next step is to ensure financial support at the European and national levels and facilitate the emergence of value chains.

Further, ESA can also actively support Europe’s sovereignty ambition notably in the field of Earth observation. Partnerships with EU institutional users like Frontex, EUSC or international users like NATO and the Atomic Energy Agency are essential for monitoring critical physical ground infrastructure such as roads, pipelines and nuclear facilities, as well as border control and migration refugee camps.

3 – Autonomous access to space Finally, we can’t talk about satellites, European sovereignty, or autonomous access to space without addressing launchers. From the sharp launcher crisis that we experienced, starting with the withdrawal of Soyuz from Kourou as direct consequence of the war in Ukraine, significant delays of Ariane 6 and the mishap on Vega-C, we came a long way. We have stabilised technology challenges and we have stabilised the schedule towards the Ariane 6 inaugural flight in 2024. After the next critical test later this month, I will be able to announce a target launch period for Ariane 6. Yesterday, ESA Member States also agreed to the stabilised exploitation of Ariane 6 and Vega-C to ensure Europe’s guaranteed access to space.

And ESA Member States have also agreed to change the way launchers are prepared in the future, after Ariane 6 and Vega-C. ESA will use completely new approaches to arrive at the next generation of launchers. This is a real paradigm shift!

We will become an anchor customer of launch services, making access to space a commercial service with long-term commitments, as well as an enabler, encouraging competition and developing an industrial ecosystem.The European launcher challenge that we will initiate in the coming months is our response to this logic.

In closing, the role of space in confronting global challenges and crises cannot be understated. We have the tools and the determination to use space for a greener, more sustainable, and safer future. Together, we can protect our space assets and our planet, both of which are fragile and require our utmost attention.Thank you.