Europe is gearing up for a next-generation “imaging constellation” as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission (EC) deepen their collaboration. At the recent Paris Air Show, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius praised their “stronger than ever” partnership—one that blends the EC’s political mandate with ESA’s technical expertise.
What Is the ERS Imaging Constellation?
The European Resilience from Space (ERS) program will deploy a mix of radar and optical satellites capable of revisiting the same spot on Earth every 30 minutes. This rapid-response system is designed to strengthen Europe’s security and resilience by providing near-real-time imagery to monitor crises, support defense operations, and aid humanitarian efforts.
Two-Phase Funding Plan
- Phase 1 (2025): ESA will seek roughly €1 billion from member states at its November ministerial meeting to fund initial design, development, and risk-reduction activities.
- Phase 2 (2028–2034): The European Commission will request further financing through its next Multiannual Financial Framework to complete and operate the full constellation.
Why the Urgency?
Commissioner Kubilius highlighted emerging foreign systems—such as a Chinese network revisiting targets every six minutes—underscoring Europe’s need to match or exceed these capabilities. In the interim, Europe may leverage existing commercial and government satellites to fill the gap until the ERS constellation is fully operational.
Call for a “Phase Zero” Study
Not everyone is ready to dive straight into production. CNES (France’s space agency) Deputy Director Lionel Suchet recommends a preliminary “phase zero” study to define user requirements, refine specifications, and reduce technical risks—ensuring the program delivers exactly what Europe needs before committing to billions in satellite builds.
A Model of ESA–EU Cooperation
This project builds on long-standing joint successes—Galileo for navigation and Copernicus for Earth observation—demonstrating that when political vision meets engineering prowess, Europe can tackle ambitious space endeavors.
