Complementing Copernicus, Galileo, EGNOS, and the forthcoming GOVSATCOM, this new EU flagship programme, will benefit a broad range of sectors, including road and maritime transport, air traffic and control, autonomous vehicle development as well Internet of Things (IoT). It will also open up more opportunities for synergies between the already existing components of the EU Space Programme that can benefit maritime surveillance or even space situational awareness.

With an allocated budget of EUR 95.5 billion for the period 2021-2027, Horizon Europe is the new EU research and innovation funding programme, poised to develop sustainable solutions to tackle climate change, boost competitiveness and create jobs. Targeting public authorities, universities, research institutes, companies, and other organizations, the Programme also facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting, and implementing EU policies.

The Europe-Africa Space Earth Observation High-Level Forum held earlier in June examined the evolving roadmap for enhancing EU-Africa cooperation in satellite-based Earth Observation; the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) Executive Director, Rodrigo da Costa was there to highlight the role of the agency in unlocking the full potential of EO in Africa through EU Space synergies.