MILAN — Switzerland’s decision not to participate in the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation program during the 2028–2034 funding cycle has revived a broader debate over the value of contributing to the imagery program when much of its data remains freely available worldwide.
The Swiss Federal Council decided June 5 to renew its decision to not to be part of the program, but the government said it is likely to review the question again in 2032.
The decision keeps Switzerland outside one of Europe’s flagship space programs.
The Swiss government cited financial strains as a factor in the decision, as it did when it opted against paying into Copernicus in 2024.
Now, the program’s value to European countries outside the EU is receiving new scrutiny.
