BELSPO’s "Space Research and Applications" department manages the Belgian contributions to the international space programmes in the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA) and of other intergovernmental organisations (EUMETSAT, ECMWF, ESO...), as well as in the framework of bilateral agreements. In this context, it is also in charge of the follow-up of the space activities and programmes of the European Union. Finally, the Department manages specific national R&D programmes mainly in the domain of Earth Observation.

Space in Belgium

Belgian space strategy • Belgian space Law • Key initiatives • Space actors in Belgium • Who does what in BELSPO? • Space activities by theme.

Belspo programmes and initiatives

BELSPO manages a number of national programmes and initiatives: the Earth Observation Research Programme STEREO • the Centre of Image Processing (CvB) • Terrascope • the Pléiades4Belgium portal.

European Space Agency (ESA)

Belgium is a founding member of ESA as an intergovernmental organisation. BELSPO represents Belgium and defends the Belgian interests in the framework of ESA (Belgian Delegation).

Space in the European Union

BELSPO is in charge of the follow-up of the space activities and programmes of the European Union. BELSPO represents Belgium and defends the Belgian interests in the framework of the EU committees related to space.

Other international partners

Bilateral cooperations • Intergovernmental organisations • Other organisations.

Education & public

Are you fascinated by space exploration? Do you want to know more about Earth Observation by satellite? Do you want to dive into the Milky Way? Whether you are a parent, teacher or student, take a look at these suggestions for space journeys.

Publications

Deelname aan de offerteaanvragen in het kader van het ruimtevaartprogramma van de Europese Unie
Participation aux appels d’offres dans le cadre du Programme spatial de l’Union européenne
Samenvatting van het IDEA rapport van 15 juli 2019
Impact van de Belgische investeringen in ruimtevaartonderzoeksprogramma's.
Résumé du rapport IDEA du 15 juillet 2019
Impact des investissements belges dans les programmes de recherche dans le domaine du Spatial.
Rapport d’activités - Activités spatiales (mars 2018)
depuis le Conseil ministériel de l'ESA de décembre 2014 à Luxembourg et de décembre 2016 à Lucerne
Activiteitenverslag - Ruimtevaartactiviteiten (maart 2018)
sinds de ESA Ministeriële Raad van december 2014 te Luxemburg en van december 2016 te Luzern

BELSPO INFO SESSIONS

09.01.2026 - ESA CMIN25 debriefing to the Belgian space actors
22.12.2022 - ESA CMIN22 follow up and debriefing to the Belgian space actors
30.09.2022 - ESA CMIN22 info day
06.12.2019 - Space 19+ debriefing to the Belgian space actors

FOCUS

Raphaël Liégeois: soon another Belgian in space

Following Dirk Frimout and Frank De Winne, Belgium will soon have a new astronaut in space: Raphaël Liégeois. As an astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), he will embark on a long-duration mission to the International Space Station.
He will be the next European on board the station, after the French astronaut Sophie Adenot.

© ESA