Space: Country heads are calling for billions for space travel

In view of the grown international uncertainties, Germany, in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Bremen, must also put significantly more money into space travel-nationally and at European level: At a joint appearance in Berlin, the three heads of government called for an increase in the national space program to one billion euros per year. In addition, Germany has to support the European space agency ESA with more money, namely two billion euros annually – also for reasons of joint European security.

For comparison: According to Bavarian information, Germany currently pays around 1.16 billion euros annually for the ESA. This year is around 300 million euros in the national space program. Here all countries had already spoken out for an increase to 500 million euros.

“Space travel for Europe’s security indispensable”

“For Europe’s sovereignty and security, space travel applications and skills are indispensable,” says a common paper from the three countries. In addition, space travel is a key area for innovation, economic competitiveness and technological sovereignty. It creates high -quality jobs, also strengthen other future sectors and contribute to solving global challenges such as climate change.

Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) emphasized: “Our modern life does not work without space-based technologies. And our security is largely guaranteed with services from space.” Therefore, space travel directly serves to strengthen defense ability. Europe is good in navigation, communication and straw observation. “But in times of deep geopolitical faults, it’s not good enough.” It could not be that Elon Musk-the US Tech billionaire belongs to the private US room trip company SpaceX-decides on European defense ability, warned Kretschmann.

“Is not about science fiction”

Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) warned that Europe should not fall back in international competition. “Space is not about science fiction, but about tangible scientific progress and new economic strength. This is also crucial for European sovereignty,” he said. And Germany must make its contribution to that.

Bremen Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) said the ESA was a European future object and once founded to secure Europe’s square. Today, in view of the international situation, it is important to assert this place and further expand it. The next ESA Minister Council Conference, among other things, is about the financial resources of the European Space Agency (European Space Agency) for the next three years, will take place in Bremen in November.

What the state demand could give boost: With Dorothee Bär (CSU) there is a minister for the first time in the new black and red federal government, who explicitly also bears the topic of space travel in the job description: Bear is Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space.