European institutional satellite programs

Abstract

European supranational actors are getting increasingly involved in space programs for security applications: ESA, with its activities in the development of space capabilities with dual-use applications; EUMETSAT with its three main meteorological missions; and more recently the EU with Copernicus (former GMES) and Galileo programs. These programs are civil and under civil control, while purely military programs are not developed yet at European level and remain in national hands. The multiple uses of space technologies, the enlarged definition of security, and the dual-use approach have allowed the inclusion ofsecurity-related applications incivil programs. European supranational actors are therefore “security providers” for the benefit of European institutions, countries, and citizens.This chapter aims at providing an overview of these programs and theirapplications and highlights some considerations about the “European way” to ensure security atsupranational level through space assets and applications.