From strategy to sovereignty: defining Europe’s space ambition in a fragmented world

Past event Online

Digital & Data Governance

18Jun2026

starts 14:00

ends 14:50

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What happened?

🔴WATCH: #CriticalThinkingLive | From strategy to sovereignty: defining Europe’s space ambition in a fragmented world

Friends of Europe’s Dharmendra Kanani engages with Dr Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), in a timely conversation on how ESA can turn political support and public investment into tangible results for Europe’s industrial competitiveness, technological leadership and societal resilience.

The discussion explored:

How ESA balances its longstanding civil mission with growing expectations around Europe’s security, resilience and strategic autonomy;
The outcomes of the 2025 ESA Ministerial Council and what they mean for implementation, investment and Europe’s space ambition;
How space should be positioned in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework — not only as a sectoral policy, but as strategic infrastructure for Europe’s green transition, digital transformation, economic security and global influence;
How flagship programmes such as Copernicus can demonstrate clearer value for policymakers and citizens, from climate monitoring and crisis response to industrial innovation and economic growth.

Crucially, the conversation considered how Europe can build on the momentum from CM25 to strengthen its space ecosystem, improve coordination between ESA programmes and EU instruments, and ensure that Europe remains a leading space actor in a more fragmented global landscape.

#CriticalThinkingLive is the latest expansion in our #CriticalThinking family, bringing influential voices from across a range of sectors to challenge, inspire and influence current thinking on the biggest issues facing Europe and the world. 

Related content:

Initiative | Making Space Matter
Event |From orbit to impact: charting Europe’s course in a changing global landscape
Event | Space solutions for Europe’s challenges: shaping resilience with space technology
Insight | Running out of space: European security in space

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Born in Austria, Josef Aschbacher studied at the University of Innsbruck, graduating with a Master’s degree and a PhD in natural sciences. He has had an accomplished international career in space, combining more than 35 years’ work experience at ESA, the European Commission, the Austrian Space Agency, the Asian Institute of Technology and the University of Innsbruck.

As Director General of ESA, Dr Aschbacher is responsible for the definition, implementation and development of Europe’s space infrastructure and activities, which include launchers, satellites performing Earth observation, navigation, telecommunication and space science, together with robotic exploration and ESA astronauts working on the International Space Station. He is responsible for an annual budget of €8.2 billion and a workforce of 6000 distributed across several establishments, principally in Europe.

Dharmendra Kanani is Director of Policy & Programmes and Chief Spokesperson at Friends of Europe. Prior to joining Friends of Europe, Dharmendra was director of policy at the European Foundation Centre (EFC). He was the England director at the Big Lottery Fund, the largest independent funder in the UK and fourth largest in the world. Dharmendra has held senior positions in the public and voluntary sectors and advisor to numerous ministerial policy initiatives across the UK.

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