The EU’s new €14.8bn space programme is ready to take off 1 day ago112 Views The ESA Vega flight VV16 lifting off in September 2020. Image: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Vidéo du CSG European leaders have signed off on the EU’s largest ever budget for space, which focuses on security, connectivity and entrepreneurship. The EU has adopted an “ambitious space strategy” in a bid to become a global leader in this sector. A €14.8bn programme for the years 2021 to 2027 – the largest ever budget for space – was finalised this week. It will bring together all EU space activities under one programme, with the aim of supporting different aspects of the space industry and fostering tech leadership and resilience.