Space

A year after announcing its ambition to ensure secure internet connections from space, the European Commission says it will provide industry with €2.4B to spur development of Europe’s own ultra-secure quantum-encrypted broadband system to do this

It’s currently shut out of international research in Horizon Europe, but Switzerland is now a member of the €1.9B project to build the world’s largest telescope, becoming the first non-founder country to join the club

A report commissioned by the ITRE committee says small companies should tap EU funds to develop new products and services, strengthening Europe’s space industry and reinforcing its global competitiveness

Horizon Europe space research partnership was brutally cut after member states failed to back the plan. Now industry partners have to decide if it is worth going ahead or not

Following objections from member states, the Commission has shifted position and after receiving assurances, now appears open to UK involvement in these strategic fields, while Israel will be allowed to take part in quantum research

Details of the terms on which Israel, UK and Switzerland can join quantum and space projects are now public. But it’s not a done deal for the Commission which says negotiations are ‘ongoing’

Officials say Commission is divided on loaded question of excluding close EU partners UK and Israel from quantum and space research - and voice concerns at how the row is delaying rollout of Horizon Europe

All EU space activities now in a single orbit, in hopes of making Europe a global leader in space