In the session ‘Outlook for ESA’s Earth Observation programmes’ at the European Space Agency’s Living Planet Symposium 2025, we heard from Josef Aschbacher, Director General of European Space Agency – ESA, Simonetta Cheli – Director of Earth Observation at ESA, Charles Galland, Policy Manager at ASD-Eurospace, and Andrew Shepherd, CPOM Director (Northumbria University) on the planned funding proposal to EU Member States due later this year. Andrew stood as a representative of the scientific community due to his long-standing collaborative relationship with the European Space Agency and over two decades of experience of EO scientific research.
Josef Aschbacher said: “We are delivering data and services for citizens. Earth Observation is providing a lot of this: services for farmers, for health practitioners, for city planners, for forestry, for aviation, for disaster management to provide information in case of crises.”
Simonetta Cheli said: “There’s an increase of the relevance of space in support of resilience, in support of security, in support of defence needs, and there is also a geopolitical context where EO could provide a further opportunity to increase overall, not just at ESA level, the European leading role that we have in the sector on climate, on sustainability, and the current proposal is a really bold step in that direction.”
Charles Galland said: “This is a strategic investment in Europe’s industrial future. ESA must remain a scientific and technical leader but also increasingly become an economic and market enabler. Industry is ready for that.”
Andrew Shepherd said: “The science is what underpins action, by other people or by ourselves to address the problems the climate is facing and to adapt to the world that we are going to be living in.”
Andrew’s presentation highlighted that:
🌐 Climate science is founded on EO 🛰️ Science underpins action 🌳 Action is the green economy 🌍 Europe is leading the way 🚀 FutureEO is essential
This fascinating session was part of the Living Planet Symposium 2025.
