Germany will offer up to €5 billion to the European Space Agency at next week’s Bremen conference, a notable increase from about €3.5 billion three years ago. The pledge is tied to a wider space-security strategy that could channel up to €35 billion into space defence in the coming years. Research Minister Dorothee Baer urged the ESA to reform, combining large flagship projects like the Ariane rocket with more start-up-led initiatives to keep the market open to new entrants.
Germany to Boost ESA Funding to €5bn as Part of Major Space-Defence Push
Germany will offer up to €5 billion to the European Space Agency at next week’s Bremen conference, a notable increase from about €3.5 billion three years ago. The pledge is tied to a wider space-security strategy that could channel up to €35 billion into space defence in the coming years. Research Minister Dorothee Baer urged the ESA to reform, combining large flagship projects like the Ariane rocket with more start-up-led initiatives to keep the market open to new entrants.
06:14 AM, 11/21/2025Science
Germany plans to significantly increase its contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA), Research Minister Dorothee Baer said, pledging up to 5 billion euros at the ESA conference in Bremen next week.
Baer described the proposed rise as a substantial step up from Germany’s contribution about three years ago, when it stood at roughly 3.5 billion euros.
"It will definitely be more than three years ago, when it was around 3.5 billion. If we now reach the 5‑billion mark, that would be extremely positive," Baer said.
The funding increase forms part of a broader government strategy on space security unveiled this week that could see as much as 35 billion euros channelled into space defence over coming years. Baer argued the move reflects a shift away from a long period of relying on a "peace dividend" toward recognising the strategic importance of space.
Ahead of the Bremen meeting, Baer urged the ESA to pursue internal reforms to strike a balance between costly, large-scale flagship programmes such as the Ariane rocket and a greater number of smaller projects that enable start-ups and new market entrants to innovate.
"We have to think big — for example, planned moon flights — but we also need flexibility so new players can enter the market," she added.
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Reporting: Andreas Rinke; Writing: Miranda Murray; Editing: Madeline Chambers.