350th ESA Council: exploration strategy under discussion ahead of the Rome ministerial meeting

A roadmap for exploration

The European Space Agency's Council met for the 350th time on 21 and 22 October 2026 at ESA headquarters in Paris. At the heart of the discussions was the Director General's proposal entitled "Europe's Future in Space Exploration".

The document sets out a scalable path for Europe in low Earth orbit, on the Moon and towards Mars, balancing European autonomy with international cooperation. The issue is all the more pressing as the end of the International Space Station's life approaches; in early October ESA strengthened its cooperation with US company Vast on the post-ISS era.

The decision timetable

• 15 December 2026, Rome: Intermediate Ministerial Meeting (IMM26).
• CM28: the ministerial council at which programme and financial decisions will be taken.

In the meantime, early preparatory work can proceed within existing financial envelopes.

ESA–EU relations

Member States also reviewed several European files:

• the first Sherpas meeting of the Commission's "Space Team Europe" initiative;
• preparations for the EU's 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework;
• negotiations on the European Competitiveness Fund, the EU Space Act and the EUSPA regulation.

ESA is calling for a clear division of responsibilities, without duplication, between the agency and EU institutions. The European Commission attended at senior level.

Two appointments

The Council approved two new directors, taking office on 1 January 2027: Andrzej Banasiak as Director of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership, and Nicolaus Hanowski as Director of Space Operations.

What is at stake for industry

For space manufacturers, the IMM26-then-CM28 sequence will determine visibility on future exploration programmes (transport, orbital infrastructure, lunar missions) and on each country's share through geographical return.

Origin and rationale

Origin: ESA's official press release on the outcomes of the 350th Council (22 October 2026). Why this story: decisions preparing the 15 December 2026 ministerial meeting, key for the space industry. Written by aerospace.fr, sources accessed on 2 November 2026.