EUSPA Expands into new Headquarters in Prague

Nová Palmovka in Prague 8 will officially become the headquarters of the European Union Agency for the Space programme (EUSPA). EUSPA continues to expand its operations in the Czech Republic and needs to be hosted in order to undertake its full set of extended activities. Accordingly, EUSPA and the Czech government have signed today a joint memorandum of understanding to support the relocation of the seat of the agency to the Nová Palmovka facility. The project is planned to be finished in 2025.

New responsibilities, new office

“Satellite navigation, telecommunications and Earth observation applications are used by hundreds of millions of Europeans every day. In addition to transport applications, there are also agricultural, energy and natural resource management applications. EUSPA thus offers huge opportunities for Europeans and of course for the Czech Republic, local companies, research institutes and its citizens. I am therefore pleased that the Agency is strengthening its presence in the Czech Republic and the memorandum just signed is proof of this,” said Minister of Transport Martin Kupka, who is responsible for space activities in the Czech Republic.

Following the sustained growth of the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) with its seat in Prague, it has been determined by the Czech Government that the Agency needs to be relocated to new premises. This is planned to be achieved before the end of 2025, offering in particular enhanced security facilities and additional space necessary for its functioning, together with use of a data centre. The Agency will move from Prague’s Holešovice to the nearby “Nová Palmovka” facilities in 2025.

Space Important for Czech Republic

“EUSPA gives us the opportunity to participate in supporting an Agency that is increasingly important at the European level. With the new headquarters facilities, Prague is becoming yet more a prestigious international scientific centre for the European space programme with considerable economic importance for the Czech economy. The total future contribution to the GDP of the Czech Republic by 2027 is estimated at CZK 9 billion with an annual contribution of CZK 600 million. The new EUSPA headquarters, like the entire EU space programme, will also be a great opportunity for the development of the European Union technology industry and thus for Czech technology companies, which have a huge potential in this area,“ says Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura.

EUSPA’s expanded remit is also gradually increasing the number of staff, external experts and consultants working for the Agency, to around 550 in 2027.

The Memorandum of understanding signed between the Government of the Czech Republic and EUSPA today is an expression of the Czech Government’s support for EUSPA and a confirmation of the agreed timetable for the Agency’s move to its new address. The Nová Palmovka building will be available by 2025, and is provided by the Czech Republic to the agency. The first visualisations were presented by the architects at a press conference today.

Contribution of EUSPA to Czech Economy

The total benefits of locating EUSPA’s headquarters in Prague can be estimated at up to EUR 363 million for the period 2012-2027.

“Since the Agency moved to Prague more than 10 years ago, the importance of space data and services for our citizens and our economy has been growing continuously – and our Agency with it. The Czech Republic as our hosting country for the seat of the Agency is embracing this growth. The new building and the data centre will provide us with the necessary infrastructure to continue implementing the EU Space Programme,“ declared Rodrigo da Costa, EUSPA Executive Director.

The investments of the European Union in space activities are increasing, which is also apparent from the newly approved IRIS2 secure satellite communications programme negotiated during the Czech

Presidency of the Council of the EU. In this programme, EUSPA will also play an important role. This is expected to further increase the number of space experts hosted in Prague.

About the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe and secure European satellite navigation services, promotes the commercialization of Galileo, EGNOS, and Copernicus data and services and coordinates the EU’s forthcoming governmental satellite communications programme GOVSATCOM. EUSPA is responsible for the security accreditation of all the EU Space Programme components. By fostering the development of an innovative and competitive space sector and engaging with the entire EU Space community, EUSPA contributes to the European Green Deal and digital transition, the safety and security of the Union and its citizens, while reinforcing its autonomy and resilience.

The Czech Space Ecosystem in 2022

Groundstation.Space made a map of the Czech space ecosystem, listing all Czech space organisations and companies as per mid-2022. You can download the poster of this map through this link, or clicking on below image.

The original EUSPA press release can be found here.