The European Space Agency (ESA) is seeking more than €1 billion for the ERS program, which will combine observation, positioning, and secure communications starting in 2028.
Summary
ESA has unveiled the outlines of the European Resilience from Space (ERS) program, designed to provide Europe with autonomous space capabilities in the field of security. The target budget is around €1.2 billion, with approximately €750 million allocated to “Earth observation” (high-frequency optical-radar imaging) and €250 million to a low-orbit “Positioning, Navigation & Timing” (PNT) segment. The effort also includes a communications component via the IRIS² program for secure access. Operational launch is planned for around 2028. This initiative reflects Europe’s desire to no longer depend primarily on the United States for its strategic space systems, while coordinating dual-use capabilities (defense and civil). The program comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and a European space industry undergoing major changes.
The origin and objectives of the space resilience program
The public launch of the European Resilience from Space (ERS) program was marked at the “Space for European Resilience” conference, organized in Brussels on October 28, 2025, by the ESA with the support of the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said that Europe “remains too fragmented” to guarantee true autonomous space resilience.
The initiative responds to several challenges: increasing threats at the European level (cybersecurity, electronic warfare, dependence on the United States), the need for observation, positioning, and communication capabilities for defense and civilian use, and the desire to streamline and pool resources within member states.
The strategic objective is to structure a European space ecosystem capable of providing services such as “rapid retaliation,” crisis monitoring, protected navigation, and secure communication relays, without resorting to non-European systems. The decision to make it an “optional” program (not mandatory for each Member State) allows for a gradual rollout across the ESA and its 23 member countries. The choice of a 2028 horizon is in line with the European Union’s next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, which shows that ERS is part of a medium-term vision for European space sovereignty.
Program funding, structure, and technical architecture
The announced budget for ERS is approximately €1.2 billion (~$1.4 billion) for the initial phase proposed to ESA prior to the November 2025 ministerial conference.
The budget breakdown is as follows: approximately €750 million for the “Earth observation” component (for very high-renewal optical and radar imaging satellites); approximately €250 million for the low-orbit “PNT” (Positioning, Navigation & Timing) component; and the remainder (~€200 million) dedicated to initial studies of secure communications (via IRIS²) and related infrastructure.
On a technical level, the ESA plans to start with a “virtual” system: pooling the existing satellites of Member States operated for national use and open to collective use. However, this pooling will not be enough: according to Aschbacher, the combined national systems would provide around “a dozen images of a specific site per day,” while the stated requirement is “one image every 30 minutes.”
To achieve this goal, ERS plans to develop a dedicated constellation of optical and radar satellites, potentially incorporating IR sensors, radio frequencies, inter-satellite links, and on-board edge computing. The first demonstration launch could take place as early as 2028.
A secure communications component is based on IRIS²: ESA’s Director of Connectivity, Laurent Jaffart, has mentioned a budget of €200 million (€50 million for studies, €150 million for demonstrations) for the communications component.
This architecture makes ERS a hybrid program, combining observation, navigation, and communication into a coherent whole, enabling integrated space security operations (Dual-Use). This corresponds to the SEO expression “autonomous European space program.”
The operational and strategic impact for Europe
The ERS program changes several strategic parameters. First, on an operational level, the ability to observe a point every 30 minutes opens up unprecedented possibilities for near real-time monitoring of crises, military movements, or technological incidents. This improves anticipation and responsiveness for Member States. Secondly, for navigation and positioning, having a PNT segment in low orbit strengthens the resilience of the European Galileo system against interference, which is essential in the context of electronic warfare or conflict. Thirdly, from a secure communications perspective, the integration of IRIS² provides a protected satellite connectivity infrastructure for critical military and civilian uses.
Strategically, the ERS marks an attempt by Europe to reduce its technological dependence on the United States or other foreign actors. As Aschbacher acknowledged, having an “ITAR-free” satellite (without components subject to U.S. control) is a goal, but remains “very far from reality.”
Pooling national capabilities and European industrialization also offer an economic advantage. The ESA is urging member states to commit budgets to the ERS in order to launch “the first concrete deliverable” before the Union’s multiannual framework (MFF) is set. In terms of the market, the European space industry is preparing for an increased volume of satellites and associated infrastructure: for example, some European “NewSpace” companies are announcing factories capable of producing hundreds of satellites per year.
Finally, on the geopolitical front, the ERS can become an element of deterrence and European sovereignty in space. By equipping Europe with space defense and intelligence capabilities, it is changing the balance of power and dependencies in an increasingly competitive world.
Limitations, risks, and challenges
Despite these ambitions, several limitations are apparent. One of the main ones is financing: the announced budget (~€1.2 billion) only covers the first phase. The complete program, including constellations, ground infrastructure, operations, and maintenance, could reach several billion euros over time. One analysis indicates that the constellation project could evolve into an investment of €4 to €6 billion over 10-15 years.
Then there is technology: although the architecture is designed to be European, achieving a completely “ITAR-free” system remains complex. Critical components are still subject to US export controls. In addition, the industrial challenge is considerable: building a high-renewal constellation (image every 30 minutes) requires hundreds of satellites, frequent launches, massive logistics, and data processing.
Coordination between member states is another point of fragility. The concept of pooling existing national systems involves compromises on access, national priorities, and data sharing policies. As Aschbacher noted, “we remain too fragmented.”
Furthermore, the symmetric or asymmetric threat does not disappear: having an observation satellite or navigation system is not enough if the adversary has countermeasures, jamming, or cyberattacks at its disposal. Operational integration (exploitation, processing, dissemination) will have to be at the military level.
Finally, large-scale industrial production poses a challenge: the rise of “NewSpace” does not yet guarantee a complete capacity to produce, launch, and operate military satellites in a manner that is competitive with American or Chinese players. Know-how, certification, and the supply chain still need to be strengthened. European start-ups have indicated their intention to produce hundreds of satellites per year, but this has yet to materialize.
The European Resilience from Space initiative is more than just a space program: it embodies Europe’s desire to combine secure observation, positioning, and communication within a coherent framework of space sovereignty and national resilience. The ESA’s initial budget, the proposed technical architecture, the 2028 deadline, and transnational coordination make ERS a strategic European priority. However, the road to an autonomous military satellite fleet is fraught with technological, budgetary, and industrial challenges. Europe will have to demonstrate its ability to move from concept to operation, to build a truly global system and to support it over the long term. Control of its space, which was previously largely dependent on allies or foreign actors, could become a pillar of its strategic autonomy.
Sources:
European Space Agency (ESA) – “Europe turns to space to boost resilience” (October 28, 2025)
Payload / “ESA Eyes 2028 with European Resilience from Space Program” (October 30, 2025)
Space Intel Report – “ESA details proposed $1.4B investment in resiliency technologies” (October 28, 2025)
Kratos Space / Space Intel Report – “ESA Wants Industry Ideas on ISR Network” (September 9, 2025)
European Spaceflight – “ESA proposes €1B budget to align European space capabilities for defense” (recent date)
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