"Space is considered a space for opportunities, and it is a
national priority for us," Morant told reporters. "That is why
we're creating this agency."
The Spanish Space Agency (AEE), based in the southern city of
Seville, will have a budget of 700 million euros ($746.4
million) in its first year and a staff of 75, the minister said.
In November, European nations agreed to boost spending on space
by 17% to stay on the heels of the United States and China.
While the AEE was given a one-year deadline since its official
creation in September to kick off, it already started operating
last month. "We're six months ahead of schedule," Morant said.
She added that Spain's international position in the aerospace
sector had been bolstered not only by increased public spending
but by the European Space Agency's recruitment of the first two
Spanish astronauts in 30 years, Pablo Alvarez and Sara Garcia.
Morant also highlighted the 45 million-euro open tender for the
development of a microsatellite launcher. "The future of space
lies in microsatellites, a technology that does not yet exist in
Europe," she said.
($1 = 0.9378 euros)
(Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Charlie Devereux and
Christina Fincher)
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