Expected revenue from secure satcom in 2040
€1.2 billion
Europe relies on space more than ever. Satellite navigation, connectivity and communication quietly power our societies, from finding the fastest route home to supporting emergency services, disaster response, critical infrastructure and providing secure communications anywhere, at any time.
As geopolitical and security challenges evolve, protecting and enhancing vital space- and ground-based infrastructure has become increasingly important. Space systems and the services they provide must remain available, reliable and secure, even in times of crisis and in the face of emerging threats.
This is the essence of resilience: strengthening Europe's ability to protect and sustain the space-enabled services and strategic capabilities on which citizens, businesses and governments rely every day.
The Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity (RNC) defines ESA's strategic approach to safeguarding Europe's space-enabled navigation and connectivity services and oversees the implementation and delivery of programmes for its Member States, Cooperating States and the European Union.
The RNC Directorate brings together three closely connected areas that are critical to Europe's future, strengthening coordination across resilience, defence and security-related programmes.
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Satellite navigation enables
10% of EU GDP
Space defence predicted to drive
20% increase in government space budgets in 2026
Working together with ESA Member States, the European Commission, industry and a broad range of partners, the RNC Directorate:
- Supports established companies, new entrants and scale-ups turn promising concepts faster into functional technologies and services;
- Provides technical expertise, co-funded development and in-orbit demonstration opportunities for multi-orbit communication and navigation systems;
- Supports the move from prototypes to serial production by helping industry de-risk technologies;
- Strengthens supply chains and;
- Prepares scalable solutions for emerging governmental and commercial markets.
Resilience
ESA has the mandate from its Member States to develop security and dual-use space capabilities that help ensure that Europe’s space systems remain resilient, reliable and operational under all circumstances, especially in times of crisis.
The RNC Directorate is the focal point at ESA to coordinate and prepare its portfolio of programmes related to resilience, security and defence, and drives the delivery of initiatives such as European Resilience from Space (ERS).
Satellite navigation
For decades, ESA has been the architect of the European Union’s flagship navigation systems, Galileo and EGNOS. Today, these programmes provide independent positioning, navigation and timing capabilities that support public infrastructure, economic activity and everyday life across the continent for billions of users.
Building on this legacy, ESA is shaping the future of satellite navigation through next generation systems and ambitious technology demonstrators that will integrate low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, optical technology and AI. By advancing resilience, robustness and autonomy across each component of the navigation ecosystem, ESA ensures Europe can meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Secure satellite connectivity
ESA has long been advancing Europe's satellite communications capabilities through technologies that deliver secure broadband, resilient connectivity and critical communications services.
Today, ESA is driving the development of technology, demonstrators and operational satellite constellations designed to provide secure, high-performance connectivity wherever it is needed. From transmitting Earth observation data to supporting encrypted government, emergency and commercial communications, ESA programmes help ensure that vital information continues to flow, even when ground networks are disrupted, degraded or unavailable.
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Programmes
ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity - IRIS²
ESA is cooperating with the European Commission, European industry and EUSPA, to develop the third EU flagship space programme: the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²)
Horizon Europe
Developing the future of Galileo and EGNOS
ARTES 4.0
ESA’s main programme for technology development in satellite communications
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Missions
HydRON
Moving huge amounts of data through space and back to Earth more quickly
Celeste
A low-Earth orbit constellation for resilient and robust navigation
Moonlight
Going to the Moon was the first step. Staying there is our ambition.
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