Space in Europe 2026: A Strategic Moment for Ireland – and a New Opportunity with France
Space has quickly moved from a niche domain to a foundational infrastructure for Europe’s digital, climate and security ambitions. Navigation, secure communications, Earth observation, crisis management, energy systems, and resilient supply chains all depend on space capabilities. 2025 is, in many ways, the year Europe acknowledged this reality.
A turning point at ESA’s Ministerial Council
At the ESA Ministerial Council in Bremen (CM25), Member States adopted an unprecedented €22.1 billion budget — a decisive step reinforcing Europe’s ambition to remain a leading space power.
France confirmed nearly €3.6 billion in commitments and released its new National Space Strategy 2025–2040, which sets a long-term trajectory centred on autonomy, industrial competitiveness, scientific excellence and responsible cooperation.
Ireland, meanwhile, made its strongest commitment to date, with over €170 million in ESA and national investments planned to 2030 — signalling the maturity and ambition of a rapidly expanding ecosystem.
Ireland’s ecosystem comes of age
Irish companies are now active across photonics, sensing, advanced materials, satellite platforms, mission software and downstream applications.
Universities continue to increase their participation in ESA missions and European R&D programmes.
And since 2024, the Irish Space Association has provided new structure, visibility and coordination.
For a deeper analysis of this landscape:
France’s strategy and the potential for stronger cooperation
France’s National Space Strategy 2025–2040 stresses a central point: Europe’s success in space will depend on deeper industrial cooperation and shared scientific and technological capabilities.
Ireland’s strengths align well with France’s priorities, creating fertile ground for reinforced bilateral projects.
Horizon Europe 2026: from market-ready space data to strategic space systems
Alongside ESA programmes, Horizon Europe offers a complementary and highly structured funding pathway covering the full innovation chain, from market-oriented space data applications to strategic space infrastructures and critical technologies. The 2026 landscape is now clearly articulated around two distinct waves of calls, with different timelines and objectives.
Calls already open – submission in February 2026 (EUSPA)
Under the responsibility of EUSPA, two calls are already open and will close in February 2026, with a strong focus on market uptake, operational deployment and value creation based on EU Space Programme assets.
HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-51 – Space Data Economy
This topic targets innovative applications exploiting Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus data to address concrete economic and societal challenges. Priority domains include clean energy systems, climate adaptation and environmental footprint reduction, sustainable finance and insurance, and smart and liveable cities.
Projects are expected to overcome fragmentation of demand, integrate advanced digital technologies such as AI, big data analytics and digital twins, and demonstrate a clear commercialisation pathway, with solutions reaching high TRL levels and real market readiness.
HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-52 – Innovative space-based applications for a resilient Europe
This second topic focuses on applications strengthening Europe’s resilience and crisis-response capabilities, leveraging Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and GOVSATCOM. It addresses use cases such as emergency management, protection of critical infrastructures, secure communications, situational awareness and operational coordination.
Beyond technical performance, proposals are expected to demonstrate operational adoption, scalability and long-term sustainability, reinforcing the strategic role of space-based services in civil security and resilience policies.
Together, these two EUSPA calls form a coherent package aimed at accelerating the space data economy while reinforcing Europe’s operational autonomy, with a strong emphasis on deployment, users and markets.
Calls opening in March 2026 – submission in September 2026 (Cluster 4 – Space)
A second wave of opportunities will open on 10 March 2026 under Horizon Europe Cluster 4 – Space, with deadlines in September 2026. These calls address more upstream, systemic and strategic dimensions of Europe’s space ambitions.
They include:
- Autonomous access to space and infrastructures
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-11 on EU-based spaceports and independent access to space.
- Digital enablers and large-scale demonstrations
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31 (digital enablers for EO & SatCom) and
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-32 (demonstration missions for EO & SatCom solutions).
- Advanced exploitation of space data
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-61 on scientific analysis and advanced use of space data.
- Critical space technologies and non-dependence
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-81/ 82 / 85 / 86 covering critical EEE components, testing facilities and refuelling interfaces, with a strong emphasis on EU strategic autonomy and supply-chain resilience.
A clear structuring logic for 2026 🇫🇷🇮🇪
Taken together, the 2026 calls outline a two-step innovation trajectory:
first, market-ready applications and services driven by EUSPA and closing in February; second, strategic systems, infrastructures and critical technologies opening in March under Cluster 4.
This sequencing offers a strong framework for Irish organisations to position themselves early, and for Franco-Irish consortia to align short-term market deployment with longer-term strategic technology development under Horizon Europe.
Interested in Partnering with France?
If you would like to include a French partner in your consortium, or if you wish to join a consortium coordinated by a French organisation, please feel free to contact me — I will be happy to help identify the right partners and facilitate connections.