Portugal assesses the socioeconomic impact of Space

The Portuguese Space Agency will conduct an in-depth study on the socioeconomic impact of public policies for the space sector in recent years, with a particular focus on Portugal’s participation in international space organisations, including the European Space Agency, the European Southern Observatory, and SKAO, among others.

The aim is to reflect on the sector’s development since 2019, the year the Agency was established, and to identify pathways for the coming years based on the National Space Strategy – Portugal Space 2030.

The study, intended as a detailed snapshot of the national space sector, will include updated data and statistics as well as a critical analysis of the strategic pillars that should be strengthened to ensure the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability. The results will serve as a foundation for policymakers to define priority areas for intervention, aiming to strengthen Portugal’s position within the European space landscape.

The document will be based on a preliminary analysis already conducted by the Agency, which demonstrates significant growth in the sector over the past five years. According to the data collected, the number of space-related companies increased by 43% between 2019 and 2023, reaching a total of 90. The findings also reveal that operational revenues reached €121 million in 2023, with €77 million coming from areas excluding satellite telecommunications, representing a 65% increase compared to 2019.

These and other data were shared by the Agency during the event Dialogues on the Evolution of the Space Sector in Portugal, held on 13 December at Teatro Thalia in Lisbon. With the presence of around 100 professionals from the ecosystem, the Agency sought to discuss the progress achieved since 2019 and gather input from industry leaders, academia, and research centres on proposals that will shape the sector’s future. This is part of the preparation for the ESA Ministerial Council Meeting in November 2025 and a potential evolution of the pillars of the National Space Strategy.

The presentation delivered during the event can be consulted here (Portuguese version only).