Overview of the 347th ESA Council Meeting
The European Space Agency convened its Council members at headquarters in Paris on 16‑17 June 2026. Following the two‑day session, a media information briefing was held, during which ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and departing Council Chair Renato Krpoun presented the principal decisions and progress reports.
Key Decisions
- Increased funding for Earth‑observation programmes to bolster climate‑change research.
- Approval of a new European lunar orbiter scheduled for launch in 2029.
- Creation of a technology‑transfer centre aimed at strengthening industry partnerships.
Future Mission Outlook
ESA plans to launch several small satellites next year, providing both scientific measurements and communications services for remote regions. A framework for international cooperation on crewed lunar missions was also introduced.
Next Steps
The Council’s resolutions will be translated into detailed project plans over the coming months. The technology‑transfer centre is expected to become operational in Q2 2027, with the first round of funding allocated to selected enterprises.