Nation in Review: Germany

Nation in Review: German Space Economy

German domestic space spending in 2019 increased by over 30% from 2018, reaching €1.3 billion ($1.529 billion). Contributions to ESA increased 3.6% to €944 billion ($1.097 billion) over that same period. Germany’s overall space spending has increased by 56% since 2009’s €1.45 billion ($1.7 billion) in annual spending.

That contribution is 4.3 times more than required by member states to optional programs than paid mandatorily. Germany contributed more than any other member state to ESA’s optional Earth observation, technology support, human spaceflight, and microgravity and exploration programs.

Comparing government space budgets in U.S. dollars in 2019, Germany spent $1.52 billion. More than Italy ($0.382B), Spain ($0.131B), and the UK ($0.200B), combined, but far behind the U.S. ($47.169B), China ($9.596B), Russia ($3.978B), and Japan ($3.005B). Germany fell between India ($1.906B) and France ($1.044B) in space spending. Germany has expressed concerns about remaining competitive in the expanding space marketplace. Independence is a major driver for increasing space funding to both national programs and international organizations (ESA and EUMETSAT). The funding increase is a strategic move intended to elevate Germany’s space status to one of the greatest benefactors of space data among ESA member nations and other major space-faring nations, like the U.S and China.

The Space Report 2020 Q4, scheduled for release Jan. 21, examines Germany’s developments in space, ESA’s upcoming funding and the European space industries expected growth.

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