Fight for space: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Bremen are demanding billions!
Fight for space: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Bremen are demanding billions!
An exciting chapter for space travel in Germany takes shape. Today, on June 5, 2025, the heads of government of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Bremen-Markus Söder, Winfried Kretschmann and Andreas Bovenschulte-gathered in Berlin to send a clear message: space travel needs more money and attention. Your words are clear: space travel is not just a dazzling adventure in space, but a key area for innovation, economic competitiveness and technological sovereignty, such as Deutschlandfunk reported.
In a joint explanation, the prime ministers call for a drastic increase in the national space program to one billion euros annually. They also advocate increasing payments to the European space agency ESA to two billion euros per year. Germany is currently paying around 1.16 billion euros to the ESA, while 300 million euros are planned for this year in the national space program with an increase already decided to 500 million euros, according to Stern .
The security concerns
But the whole thing also has an interesting background. Kretschmann warns of the increasing dependence on private actors such as SpaceX. For him, this development could endanger European defense ability. Söder also warns that a weakened NASA - especially through planned budget cuts - could dramatically change the worldwide image of space travel. Bovenschulte makes it clear that Bremen could be particularly affected by the current uncertainty with the cuts. Space travel is not only a technical topic, but also a very serious security concern for Europe.
The prime ministers emphasized the indispensability of space travel for European sovereignty. It becomes clear that space travel also contributes to the creation of high -quality jobs and is indispensable to solve global challenges, such as climate change. Innovative technologies that are developed in space are crucial for our economy. Kretschmann and Söder agree: a relapse in Europe in international competition could have catastrophic consequences.
The future of space travel
In fact, German and European space policy is currently facing important decisions. Corona pandemic and international crises have shown how important an independent space strategy is. Acatech emphasizes that in economic difficult times we have to continue and expand activities to promote space. The Federal Government must promote strategic alliances with European partners and set long -term objectives for space travel, especially in the field of straw observation, navigation and telecommunications.The upcoming ESA Minister Council Conference in November in Bremen could play a crucial role in setting the course for European space activities. In addition, the new focus on space travel under the Minister Dorothee Bär invites fresh impulses. As the first minister in the new federal government, she has the opportunity to revitalize and promote the topic of space.
In summary, it can be said: The space travel is on the go! The heads of government make it clear that now is the right time to invest in this key area. With a clear view of the future, they are calling for more commitment and support for space travel and thus also for the innovative strength and security of Europe.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Ort | Bremen, Deutschland |
| Quellen | |