ESA: Briefing post 332nd ESA Council (20 March 2025)
The 332nd ESA Council meeting in Paris on 19-20 March 2025 concluded with several key decisions. The strategy outlines five goals, including planetary protection, climate action, and boosting Europe's competitiveness. The strategy is described as a "living document" that will evolve over time and guide ESA's activities ahead of the November 2025 Ministerial Council. Renato Krpoun was reappointed as Council Chair, while Frank Monteny and Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido were retained as Vice-Chairs for one year starting 1 July 2025.International cooperation was announced, with Japan (JAXA) renewing an agreement on synthetic aperture radar satellites (SAR) for Earth science until March 2027. A new climate partnership was approved for joint Earth observation missions and greenhouse gas monitoring. A Statement of Intent was signed for lunar surface operations, robotic missions, and technological synergies in power/communication systems. Brazil extended its space cooperation agreement until May 2035, continuing collaboration since 2004. A Memorandum of Understanding with the African Space Agency (AfSA) was signed to align with the EU-Africa Space Partnership Program.The 2023 ESA Space Summit and 2024 EU Council conclusions emphasized broader priorities like climate action via Earth observation, autonomous access to space, and securing critical infrastructure. ESA and JAXA have extended their cooperation on the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites in Earth science and applications, and approved for the signing of a new ten-year Framework Agreement for a Strategic Partnership on climate action later this year. The Agreement between ESA and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil concerning Space Cooperation for Peaceful Purposes has been extended for a further ten years. A Statement of Intent strengthening ties between the two agencies in the field of Human Retrieval was also signed.
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