Lisbon, Nov. 27, 2025 (Lusa) - Portugal was one of the countries that increased its financial contribution to the European Space Agency the most, with a 51% increase that the Minister of Education said reflects the government's commitment to space.
"The signal we have sent is that this sector is truly strategic for Portugal," Fernando Alexandre emphasised on Thursday at an online press conference summarising the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council, which ended on Thursday in Bremen, Germany.
Between 2026 and 2030, the Portuguese government increased its participation in the ESA by 51%, to a total of €204.8 million.
According to the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Portugal was one of the countries that increased its financial contribution the most, in percentage terms, compared to the previous period.
"Overall, it was a success in terms of the objectives set. It demonstrates the importance that Europe attaches to space, which has become increasingly relevant," he said.
On the Portuguese side, the government areas of Science and Innovation (56.7%), Economy (14.1%), and Infrastructure (9.8%) are involved.
For the first time, the government areas of Defence (16.2%) and Environment (1.7%) are also involved, as is the Regional Government of the Azores (1.5%).
One of the missions funded is Space Rider, whose agreement for the landing of the inaugural flight in Santa Maria, in the Azores, was signed today between Portugal and the ESA.
Science and Innovation will ensure the mandatory programmes and optional programmes associated with scientific missions and collaboration between research centres and technology companies.
The remaining government areas and the Autonomous Region of the Azores contribute to optional programmes such as earth observation, space safety, space transport, communications, technology, and resilience.
"The major reinforcement results precisely from the fact that other sectoral areas are increasingly accompanying science," he said, giving the example of resilience, whose Portuguese investment will be ensured, above all, by the government's Defence area, which will have "increasing involvement in many areas of space".
As a result of the investment in the sector, the minister estimated a significant impact on employment, with the creation of around 6,000 jobs in some regions with a greater focus on aerospace, particularly the Azores and the North.
On the other hand, Fernando Alexandre considered that Europe has had difficulty keeping up with the evolution of countries such as the United States and China, especially concerning the role of space in security. He argued that the existing fragmentation in space policies must be overcome so that Europe can be competitive.
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