The European space ecosystem and its evolution
Space is a technology-driven field in which advanced research has traditionally played a central role. In recent decades, however, space applications have become increasingly important for everyday life, supporting services such as navigation, Earth observation, telecommunications, and space surveillance.
Space is a technology-driven field in which advanced research has traditionally played a central role. In recent decades, however, space applications have become increasingly important for everyday life, supporting services such as navigation, Earth observation, telecommunications, and space surveillance.
Historically, European space activities were led by national space agencies and intergovernmental organisations, notably the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT, with industry playing a growing role.
Over the past 25–30 years, the European Union has significantly expanded its involvement in space and is now a key actor, particularly in the development and operation of major space applications.
This seminar provides an overview of the European space ecosystem and its evolution, offering insight into its institutional landscape and strategic drivers.
Please click here to register (registration closes on 20 January 2026):
Mauro Facchini is Italian and has an engineering background (degree from Politecnico di Milano) with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Before joining the European Commission he has worked in Italy, UK and Switzerland, mostly in the academic and research environment. He joined the European Commission in 2002 where he was initially involved in the management of research projects funded by the EU. Mauro Facchini has been involved in Space aspects and participated to the definition of the European Space Policy from its early days in concluding the Framework agreement with ESA and in drafting and including article 189 (EU Space Competence) in the Lisbon Treaty. He was actively involved in the development of Earth Observation capacities at the European Commission in the programme initially known as GMES. He was then appointed Head of the Space Research Unit and managed the space related part of EU Research Framework Programme. He is since 2014 the manager of Copernicus, the European Earth Observation programme.
Free admission, open to all members of the university community and the public, subject to availability.
Image Credits: EUSPA
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