What is Portugal’s financial contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA)?

Portugal's Space observation center, Santa Maria, Azores - Portugal Business News

Government of Portugal News - Portugal intends to increase its contribution to the ESA by 51% to reach 204.8 million euros, that is Portugal’s largest contribution ever to the European Space Agency, creating a Space Technology Hub in the Azores. Here are Portugal’s Space Programs and the economic impact of Portugal’s Space sector:

Portugal’s proposal will be presented by the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, during the ESA Ministerial Council, which will take place in Bremen, Germany, on November 26 and 27, and will bring together the 23 member states, associated countries and the European Commission.

1 - What is Portugal’s financial contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA)?

Portugal intends to increase its financial contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) by 51% during the period 2026-2030, to a total of 204.8 million euros.

This reinforcement demonstrates Portugal’s commitment to the Space sector and now involves more government areas. It represents the largest ever increase in the ESA's multi-year subscription, associated with the country's largest ever investment, made in the year that marks the 25th anniversary of Portugal's accession to the ESA.

2 - What sectors will receive a share of Portugal’s Space budget?

Given the growing impact of the Space sector on other areas, Portugal’s Space budget of 204.8 million euros is divided to the government sectors:

1 - Science and Innovation – 56.7%

2 – Defence – 16.2%

3 – Economy – 14.1%

4 – Infrastructure – 9.8%

5 – Environment – 1.7%

6 - The Regional Government of the Azores – 1.5%

Portugal’s Science and Innovation department will ensure the mandatory programs, particularly the Scientific program, and the optional programs more directly associated with scientific missions and collaboration between research centers and technology companies.

3 – What are Portugal’s Space Programs?

Several Government sectors and the Autonomous Region of the Azores contribute to optional Space programs, including:

1 – Space Rider

One of Portugal’s funded missions is Space Rider, which aims to develop a reusable spacecraft for conducting scientific experiments in microgravity and testing service technologies for other space missions. The vehicle will return off the coast of Santa Maria Island in the Azores, creating a Space Technology Hub.

2 - The Atlantic Constellation

Portuguese investment, secured primarily by the government's Defense sector, will help create national technological capacity and position the Atlantic Constellation for the future European Union Earth Observation Government Service.

The Atlantic Constellation is an integrated Earth Observation system that will provide strategic monitoring capabilities from space, supplying crucial information for defense and security, including the preparation of military exercises and support for civilian operations and emergency management, encompassing forest fires.

3 – Research

This investment exemplifies what is intended for the future Agency for Research and Innovation (AI2): to create a continuous link between Science and Innovation, involving all sectors and ministerial areas, so that the knowledge generated in universities and laboratories reaches companies more quickly and is applied to solutions that impact people's lives and add value to our economy.

4 - Training

Training opportunities in the Space sector have grown significantly in Portugal. In the last five years alone, Aerospace Engineering courses have been created at the Universities of Porto, Minho, Aveiro, and Évora. Despite the significant increase in the number of places available, this remains the course with the highest entry grade in the country.

5 - Earth Observation,

6 - Space Security,

7 - Space Transportation,

8 - Communications,

9 - Technology,

10 – Resilience.

4 – What is the number of companies in Portugal’s Space sector?

The number of companies in Portugal’s space sector has also been growing, having doubled in the last 10 years (from 42 to 84).

5 – What is the economic impact of Portugal’s Space sector?

A socioeconomic study by Novaspace also points to very positive effects of the Space sector on the Portuguese economy, with a return of 2.17 euros for every euro invested.

Strengthening Portugal's contribution to the 2026-2030 cycle aims to encourage the creation of more and better research, new companies, the attraction of multinational companies and foreign investment, generating highly qualified jobs, in order to retain the talent trained in Portuguese universities, particularly in Aerospace Engineering courses.

6 - When did Portugal become a member of the ESA?

Portugal formally became a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) on November 14, 2000.