For over a decade, the European Commission has heavily invested in space research, aiming to bolster the EU's capabilities in critical technologies previously sourced externally. This mission, supported by framework programmes like Horizon Europe (2021-2027), focuses on building stronger, more resilient EU-based space capabilities through its Space Research and Innovation (R&I) Work Programme. This has become increasingly crucial given the rapid growth and intensifying global competition within the space technology sector.

The European Commission's DG DEFIS utilizes a three-pronged strategy: developing cutting-edge space Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) components and systems; establishing space heritage via In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD)/In-Orbit Validation (IOV) opportunities; and integrating critical space technologies into EU missions. Unlike pure research, this approach is needs-based, identifying technological gaps and collaborating with industry for swift commercialization. HaDEA, the European Commission's executive agency, directly manages these projects. The success of this model is evident in the 43% of space research projects since 2014 that yielded market-ready products.

Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 have tackled diverse technology lines, including large deployable antennas, GaN devices, radiation-hardened FPGAs, and advanced PCB manufacturing. In response to semiconductor supply chain vulnerabilities, the EU Chips Act complements the EU Space R&I Programme's increased budget for space critical technologies, driving successful EEE developments. Examples include the development of radiation-hardened Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) in the INTERSTELLAR project, already used in missions like Galileo Second Generation and Copernicus Sentinel-6. The ORION project is further advancing low-power consumption X-band ADCs.

Projects like EFESOS and MNEMOSYNE have yielded radiation-hardened ASICs and MRAM, already seeing commercialization. Collaboration between the European Commission, ESA, and CNES has created a European rad-hard FPGA family, used in missions like Galileo, Copernicus Sentinels, and others. Projects DUROC and PUMA are pushing toward 7nm FinFET rad-hard FPGAs for the IRIS2 secure satellite communication system. GaN research, spanning projects like SGAN-Next and FLEXGAN, has produced MMICs and solid-state power amplifiers for Galileo and Copernicus missions, establishing EU-based manufacturing capabilities for radiation-hardened GaN devices.

Investment in testing facilities, such as the HEARTS project utilizing CERN and GSI facilities, ensures rigorous space standards are met. The HEARTS@CERN facility enables testing of complex electronics at very high energy, while HEARTS@GSI focuses on heavy-ion testing for deep-space missions. The EU's ongoing investments in advanced microelectronics and upcoming opportunities within the EU Space R&I Work Programme 2025 will further strengthen EU strategic autonomy in space, fostering competitiveness, economic growth, and scientific advancement.