Josef Aschbacher
@josefaschbacher.esa.int
The Director General of the European Space Agency
It was a pleasure to give a tour of ESTEC to Prime Minister Dick Schoof today to demonstrate to him just how crucial of a ministerial year this is for ESA, for Europe and for the Netherlands. Every contribution counts!
November 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
It was a pleasure to give a tour of ESTEC to Prime Minister Dick Schoof today to demonstrate to him just how crucial of a ministerial year this is for ESA, for Europe and for the Netherlands. Every contribution counts!
Space drives opportunity across industries. Dutch contributions at #CM22 show huge return value: €680M to GDP, €200M in tax revenues, and 6,700 job-years in the Netherlands alone. Investing in space is investing in its own future.
November 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Space drives opportunity across industries. Dutch contributions at #CM22 show huge return value: €680M to GDP, €200M in tax revenues, and 6,700 job-years in the Netherlands alone. Investing in space is investing in its own future.
A huge thank you to our partners at the European Commission, industry prime @ThalesAleniaSpace.bsky.social Italy and Airbus Space Germany, and the ESA teams who made this possible and to our colleagues at @ec.europa.eu, @cnes.fr, and Arianespace.
November 5, 2025 at 9:37 AM
A huge thank you to our partners at the European Commission, industry prime @ThalesAleniaSpace.bsky.social Italy and Airbus Space Germany, and the ESA teams who made this possible and to our colleagues at @ec.europa.eu, @cnes.fr, and Arianespace.
Sentinel-1D strengthens European autonomy, supports evidence-based climate action, and inspires future generations with cutting-edge technology. Together, the
European Commission and @esa.int bring the benefits of space to citizens in Europe and worldwide.
European Commission and @esa.int bring the benefits of space to citizens in Europe and worldwide.
November 5, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Sentinel-1D strengthens European autonomy, supports evidence-based climate action, and inspires future generations with cutting-edge technology. Together, the
European Commission and @esa.int bring the benefits of space to citizens in Europe and worldwide.
European Commission and @esa.int bring the benefits of space to citizens in Europe and worldwide.
This satellite will replace Sentinel-1A after 11 years of service, ensuring the Copernicus programme continues to deliver vital radar data for climate monitoring, crisis response, Arctic observation, and marine surveillance. Copernicus delivers!
November 5, 2025 at 9:37 AM
This satellite will replace Sentinel-1A after 11 years of service, ensuring the Copernicus programme continues to deliver vital radar data for climate monitoring, crisis response, Arctic observation, and marine surveillance. Copernicus delivers!
This represents a tangible step towards Ukraine’s integration into the European space family.Despite challenging times, SSAU has committed resources to make this partnership a reality. Together, we are building bridges for innovation and collaboration in space.
November 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM
This represents a tangible step towards Ukraine’s integration into the European space family.Despite challenging times, SSAU has committed resources to make this partnership a reality. Together, we are building bridges for innovation and collaboration in space.
Read my full speech from the Space for European Resilience conference
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
ESA Director General address, Brussels 28 October
Speech delivered by the European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher at the conference 'Space for European Resilience: rising to the collective challenge'.
www.esa.int
October 29, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Read my full speech from the Space for European Resilience conference
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
PM Donald Tusk’s announcement recently of a forthcoming Satellite Operations Center in Poland is another milestone in the nation’s advancing space capabilities. I had a very constructive meeting today with Minister Domanski, Minister of Economic Development and Technology. Looking forward to #CM25!
October 29, 2025 at 8:49 AM
PM Donald Tusk’s announcement recently of a forthcoming Satellite Operations Center in Poland is another milestone in the nation’s advancing space capabilities. I had a very constructive meeting today with Minister Domanski, Minister of Economic Development and Technology. Looking forward to #CM25!
Poland’s growing role in the European space ecosystem is reflected in initiatives such as ESA BIC Poland, ESA_Labs, Spaceship Poland, and various Φ-labNET hubs, and the recent flight of Polish ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.
October 29, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Poland’s growing role in the European space ecosystem is reflected in initiatives such as ESA BIC Poland, ESA_Labs, Spaceship Poland, and various Φ-labNET hubs, and the recent flight of Polish ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.
Cyprus is expected to gain full Associate Member status in the coming months. Welcome to ESA!
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Cyprus is expected to gain full Associate Member status in the coming months. Welcome to ESA!
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
To the government of Cyprus, to Deputy Minister Damianou of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus, thank you for your commitment to space and to the spirit of European cooperation. To the people of Cyprus, welcome to a journey of discovery, innovation and progress.
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
To the government of Cyprus, to Deputy Minister Damianou of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus, thank you for your commitment to space and to the spirit of European cooperation. To the people of Cyprus, welcome to a journey of discovery, innovation and progress.
Together, we have transformed and elevated the Cypriot space sector by aligning their visions and interests with those of ESA. I would like to honour the personal investment of those who made this possible – the delegation of Cyprus to ESA, my staff, the decision-makers, industry, and many more.
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Together, we have transformed and elevated the Cypriot space sector by aligning their visions and interests with those of ESA. I would like to honour the personal investment of those who made this possible – the delegation of Cyprus to ESA, my staff, the decision-makers, industry, and many more.
2️⃣ESA thrives on global partnerships and we are expanding collaboration with both well-established and emerging space nations—Australia, Japan, the UAE, India—through strategic missions, programmes and activities and governance initiatives like the Zero-Debris Charter.
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
IAC 2025 - One-to-one with ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher
www.esa.int
September 30, 2025 at 1:24 AM
2️⃣ESA thrives on global partnerships and we are expanding collaboration with both well-established and emerging space nations—Australia, Japan, the UAE, India—through strategic missions, programmes and activities and governance initiatives like the Zero-Debris Charter.
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
During the Heads of Agencies Panel, I emphasised:
1️⃣The health and sustainability of🌍remains ESA's north star. Strategy 2040, developed with Member States, sets the long-term goals for European space activities. Its top priority: protecting our planet and climate.
www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
1️⃣The health and sustainability of🌍remains ESA's north star. Strategy 2040, developed with Member States, sets the long-term goals for European space activities. Its top priority: protecting our planet and climate.
www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
ESA Strategy 2040
The European Space Agency has published its strategy approaching challenges and opportunities up to 2040. Strategy 2040 is framed around five encompassing goals, each of which has specific objectives ...
www.esa.int
September 30, 2025 at 1:24 AM
During the Heads of Agencies Panel, I emphasised:
1️⃣The health and sustainability of🌍remains ESA's north star. Strategy 2040, developed with Member States, sets the long-term goals for European space activities. Its top priority: protecting our planet and climate.
www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
1️⃣The health and sustainability of🌍remains ESA's north star. Strategy 2040, developed with Member States, sets the long-term goals for European space activities. Its top priority: protecting our planet and climate.
www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
Read the Press Release from the Australian government here: www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/ch...
www.minister.industry.gov.au
September 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Read the Press Release from the Australian government here: www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/ch...
In today’s complex global landscape, reinforcing strategic partnerships places ESA, its Member States, and European space overall in a position of strength. We are now opening a new chapter that will see us engage in discussions with Australia alongside ESA Member States to define the path forward.
September 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
In today’s complex global landscape, reinforcing strategic partnerships places ESA, its Member States, and European space overall in a position of strength. We are now opening a new chapter that will see us engage in discussions with Australia alongside ESA Member States to define the path forward.