The Spanish Space Agency (AEE) has become the newest member of the European Space Policy Institute. Established in 2023, the Spanish Space Agency unifies all the space policies of Spain and coordinates all services and activities in the sector to guarantee the strategic action of the Government of Spain in the field of space.
"This membership represents another step that underscores Spain's commitment to space."
Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido AEE
AEE has the mandate to coordinate Spain’s space policy with the European Space Agency, the European Union, and international organizations, while supporting national security and defense, and driving Spanish excellence in space science, innovation, and technology.
The membership of AEE to ESPI follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AEE and ESPI in September 2023, on the occasion of ESPI’s 20th anniversary.
"We are very satisfied with our incorporation into the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), the world's leading space 'think tank'. This membership represents another step that underscores Spain's commitment to space," said Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido, Director of the Spanish Space Agency. "Our country will not only contribute by actively participating in Europe's space policy discussions, providing our experience in security and defense, science, innovation, technology, and the legislative framework, but will also benefit from the extraordinary spatial heritage of this organization. We thank ESPI for all its support."
"As Spain elevates its ambition in space, we are privileged to welcome the Spanish Space Agency and the voice of Spain’s space ecosystem in ESPI," said Tomas Hrozensky, Senior Researcher and Lead on European Engagement at ESPI. "The dual nature of AEE’s governance is an excellent example of increasingly blending policy direction for space in Europe. With such more inclusive representation in ESPI membership, our mandate to provide sound advice and recommendations to Europe’s decision-makers is further reinforced."
ESPI is funded and supported by its two founding members and its 23 regular members. The membership includes various institutions drawn from national agencies, international organizations, and private companies. Each member organization holds a seat on the General Assembly, which is the governing body of ESPI.