ESA Council advances Europe’s space exploration plans ahead of December meeting

The European Space Agency’s Council has advanced preparations for a December ministerial meeting on Europe’s future in space exploration, while reviewing the agency’s relationship with the European Union and appointing two new directors.

The 350th Council meeting, held at ESA headquarters in Paris on 21 and 22 October, brought together representatives of the agency’s member states. ESA said the discussions included preparations for the Intermediate Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for Rome on 15 December, and the longer-term path towards its 2028 ministerial council.

The Council discussed a proposal by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher for “Europe’s Future in Space Exploration”. The plan sets out a scalable approach to activity in low Earth orbit, on the Moon and towards Mars, combining greater European autonomy with international cooperation. ESA described the proposal as financially sustainable; the agency said the December meeting would be a step towards programme and financial decisions at the 2028 meeting.

Council members also reviewed negotiations and planning involving the EU’s next long-term budget, the proposed European Competitiveness Fund, the EU Space Act and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme. ESA said it was monitoring the implications for the governance and delivery of future European space activities, and stressed the need for a clear division of responsibilities to avoid duplication while making use of ESA’s technical expertise.

The Council approved the appointment of Andrzej Banasiak as director of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership, and Nicolaus Hanowski as director of Space Operations. Both are due to take up their posts on 1 January 2027.