Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), said Poland is moving from a “relatively new” member to a “mature” and significant player and that talks with Warsaw, including with Finance Minister Andrzej Domański, focus on the most beneficial ESA investment options for Poland.
He called the decision to send Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski to the International Space Station “very smart,” saying it has energized young people and can steer top talent to study and work in Poland’s advanced-technology sector, especially space.
Aschbacher said ESA is holding “constructive” but early-stage discussions on opening an ESA facility in Poland focused on security and defense. He welcomed Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s plan to create a national Satellite Operations Center, calling it an important political signal and noting ESA has already proposed talks with the government on possible cooperation.
Europe has strong capabilities and experts, he said, but still lags behind the largest space powers. He cited remarks in Brussels by former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen about Europe’s hesitancy and agreed with the assessment.
The United States invests six times more than Europe in space, he said, accounting for 60% of global public outlays, while Europe contributes about 10% despite ESA countries representing over 20% of global GDP.
Without greater investment, Europe risks losing top people, firms and expertise to the U.S., the UAE, or Japan, he warned.
Defense uses of space are critical, Aschbacher added, pointing to intelligence, observation, secure communications, and navigation. He said space is already part of warfare, noting Russia disrupted telecom satellites the day before invading Ukraine, and predicted such actions will intensify.
The biggest challenge for ESA, he said, is that European countries still underestimate space’s importance for security and the economy.
Investment will be a central topic at ESA’s Ministerial Council on Nov. 26–27 in Bremen, where members are to agree and approve a program package worth about €22 billion.
(jh)
Source: PAP