Moonbound or grounded? Europe plays catch up in global space race

[Buster's Uncle]

Moonbound or grounded? Europe plays catch up in global space race
DPA
Mon, September 8, 2025 at 2:14 AM EDT
4 min read



A flag with the logo of the European Space Agency (ESA) flutters in the wind on the premises of the Kourou space station in French Guiana. Janne Kieselbach/dpa


With a potentially unreliable partner, no independent access to space and lagging innovation: 50 years after its founding, the European Space Agency (ESA) faces tough questions about its role in space exploration.

As early as 2027, the United States plans to send humans to the Moon for the first time in decades. China is aiming for a manned Moon landing by 2030, and India has set its sights on 2040.

Europe also hopes to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2030. However, the endeavour has a significant drawback: Europeans do not have control over the mission. Their astronauts are expected to participate as part of the US-led Artemis programme.

But Artemis could be scrapped before a European astronaut gets the chance to join. US President Donald [Sleezebag] had shown more interest in Mars - though [Sleezebag] may have been influenced by his previous advisor, multi-billionaire Elon Musk, who owns SpaceX. The two have since had a public falling out.

Europe also still lacks autonomous access to space, at least for manned missions.

While there is a European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, and the continent has its own launch vehicles, such as the Vega C and Ariane 6 rockets, Europe currently relies on the US space agency NASA to send humans into space.


A key partner causes concern

Europe collaborates extensively with the US in space exploration. However, with [Sleezebag] having cast doubt on the reliability of agreements and interest in joint ventures, the urgency for Europe to become more independent and deepen other partnerships has grown.

"ESA and Europe will be ready to adapt, find their own priorities, which will certainly involve improving our strength, autonomy, and capabilities in space, and being a very good international partner," ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher emphasized earlier this year.

ESA already works closely with Japan's space agency, JAXA. Relationships with India and South Korea have recently been intensified, according to the agency, and it also collaborates with numerous other space agencies worldwide.

From the perspective of Ludwig Moeller, head of the space policy think tank ESPI, ESA and Europe are globally recognized and trusted partners.

"This is a highly valuable asset in today's world, which we should continue to develop and utilize together," he said.

Regarding Europe's security and its future role in space, Moeller believes space exploration should be used as a tool for enhanced international cooperation and to achieve diplomatic goals for a more peaceful world.


Commercialization leaves ESA looking outdated

The rapid commercialization and privatization of space exploration have significantly transformed the field in recent years, with Musk's SpaceX becoming a central player.

Since 2015, it has been operating with reusable rockets, a capability Europe can only dream of.

Even Europe's pride, the new Ariane 6 launch vehicle, is not up to date, according to space expert Martin Tajmar from the Technical University of Dresden.

While it is crucial for to be able to independently launch satellites into space, significant contracts beyond ESA missions have only come from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who prefers not to work with his rival Musk's SpaceX.

It is clear, however, that ESA, with its numerous member states, lengthy decision-making processes, and limited finances, cannot operate like a private company.

The agency is now striving to become more agile and is increasingly fostering technological innovation in the private sector. For example, ESA recently launched a competition among European companies for a new cargo vehicle and a new launch vehicle.

ESA is also looking to the private sector for solutions in space. With the International Space Station (ISS) set to be decommissioned by 2030, ESA has signed letters of intent with several companies to potentially use their planned space stations.


Success with Copernicus and Galileo

ESA has seen significant success in measurement programmes and scientific projects.

Moeller highlights examples such as Galileo for navigation, Copernicus for Earth observation, and the James Webb Space Telescope, built in collaboration with the US and Canada.

The telescope delivers spectacular images from space and provides experts with new insights.

"These are all world-leading innovations," Moeller said. "Fifty years of ESA also stand for 50 years of innovation and collaboration across borders."


ESA in the beginning

In 1975, representatives from 10 countries, including Germany, met in Paris with the goal of strengthening cooperation in space exploration.

On May 30, they signed the ESA Convention, establishing the space agency. Today, ESA has 23 member states.

The European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO) and the European Space Research Organization (ESRO), which began in 1964, preceded ESA, which views the 1964 start date as the beginning of European cooperation in space exploration.



Fifty years after its founding, the European Space Agency (ESA) faces tough questions about its role in space exploration - grappling with no independent access to space and lagging innovation. -/NASA/dpa


https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/moonbound-grounded-europe-plays-catch-061448321.html