Europe focuses on space technologies. 600 companies have already benefited

The space industry in Europe is growing stronger, and one of the key elements supporting its development is the Cassini program launched by the European Commission three years ago. This initiative, worth one billion euros, was created to support companies operating in the space industry at various stages of their development. Over 600 European companies have already used it, including several from Poland. As Justyna Redełkiewicz from the European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) emphasizes, the value of these companies has increased over 18 times in recent years.

The potential of the space sector in the European Union

The space industry is one of the priorities of the European Union, and the space and defense strategy is the focus of a special directorate of the European Commission. This trend will continue in the coming years, which makes the current moment ideal for investing in space technologies. As Redełkiewicz notes, EU programs such as Galileo and Copernicus provide huge amounts of satellite data that can be used in various sectors of the economy – from agriculture, through navigation, to monitoring climate change.

Satellites – the backbone of the space economy

According to the report of the Polish Economic Institute, satellites are the basis of the global space economy. The number of satellites orbiting the Earth is growing dynamically – in 2023, the number of objects sent was 1,170 percent. greater than in 2013. There are currently over 13,000 satellites in space, of which approximately 10,000 are still operational. They are used for a variety of purposes, from communications to remote sensing. A further increase in the number of satellites can be expected in the future, especially in the context of the development of space tourism and commercial orbital stations.

Data from McKinsey indicate that the global space economy will reach USD 1.8 trillion by 2035, which means annual growth of about 10%. Europe has significant potential for talent and companies capable of implementing space technologies. Poland also contributes to this growth – more and more domestic companies are involved in international space missions. For example, in 2023, the Falcon 9 rocket carried a satellite of the Polish company Scanway into orbit.

Investing in the future

The number of companies in the space industry is growing, and the Cassini program offers support at every stage of their development. One billion euros allocated to the development of space entrepreneurship supported over 600 companies, and their value increased over 18 times. The key goal is to use space technologies not only in the space sector, but also in other areas of the economy.

The largest segments of the space economy are navigation, satellite communications and Earth observation. These technologies are used in numerous sectors – from agriculture, where satellites help monitor the condition of soil and crops, to financing and insurance, where space data supports more accurate risk calculations. Satellites also play a key role in monitoring climate change and early warning of natural disasters.

Education and future staff

In Poland, interest in a career in the space sector is growing, although it is still lower than in Western countries. However, more and more universities offer courses related to space technologies. New programs, such as those at the AGH University of Science and Technology, aim to educate future specialists who can contribute to the development of the Polish space sector.

The Cassini program not only supports mature companies, but also offers numerous initiatives for young entrepreneurs, students and start-ups. These include competitions, hackathons and the EU Space Academy – an educational platform that allows young talents to gain their first experience in the space sector. Another initiative is the Cassini Business Accelerator, offering six-month support for start-ups that can count on mentoring, training and financing.

The space future of business

Over the coming decade, the space sector is expected to become one of the key areas of economic development, comparable in terms of growth to artificial intelligence. Programs such as Cassini provide not only financial support, but also a platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation between companies, which promotes the dynamic development of the entire sector.