Europe used to be a significant force in the club of global space powers but has seen its influence wane in recent years. In the early 2000s, the European Space Agency (ESA) was a major player in satellite launches and space exploration. By 2023, Europe accounted for only 5 % of global space investments, compared to the US which had over 70 %. Meanwhile, emerging space powers like China and India have rapidly expanded their space capabilities, leaving Europe struggling to keep up with the pace. Technological developments have opened the door for new commercial opportunities in space. However, structural challenges and the lack of a clear vision risks undermining Europe’s position in this evolving space landscape.
This CEPS Task Force is launching an inquiry into Europe’s pain points in the space domain as well as its strengths, and how the EU could break out of the dilemma of being left one step behind. This Task Force will leverage CEPS’ wider work on the EU policy discourse on innovation and competitiveness across multiple domains to formulate concrete recommendations to foster EU leadership in space and – equally important – a vision for Europe to become a leading space actor once again.
TOPICS
The CEPS Task Force will meet four times to discuss relevant topics and develop a holistic set of recommendations for a European vision for space and to foster European space competitiveness. The sessions, coordinated by the Task Force Chair, will be centred on the following topics:
Space in 2035
The Task Force will reflect on the current trends shaping space today. Participants will develop a scenario in which the following aspects will be considered: 1) commercial (services, manufacturing, energy, travel/leisure), 2) research in space (including exploration), 3) sustainability, 4) geopolitics and governance, and 5) security & defence. Questions will include: What will the space domain look like in 10 years from now? What is a likely scenario given the current trends in innovation and technology, sustainability, commercialisation, geopolitics and political will?
Space Innovation in Europe
Europe is home to world-class research institutions and regional hubs that advance state-of-the-art technologies for space application. Yet there is little transparency in the European ecosystem of space innovation. The CEPS GRID Unit, in collaboration with the CEPS Data Science Unit and the Task Force members, will map space innovation hubs in Europe.
Where exactly is innovation happening in Europe? Are there regional hubs for specific parts of the value chain? Is there a clear distinction between research and development within established corporations and start-ups? What are these start-ups developing?
A vision for Europe as a leading space actor
Nations outside of Europe have grand ambitions and tight timelines to, for example, land humans on the moon and establish permanent settlements there. Private enterprises from outside Europe want to send humans to Mars within several years. These visions fuel progress and innovation, attract capital investment and inspire future generations. Europe needs to have a vision for its own ambitions, which cannot only be to catch up with other global players and become as good or better at what they are already doing (e.g. launch services). For this, we need to understand why the space domain is important for Europe and its future.
Fostering European competitiveness in space
Space activities are capital-intensive and Europe is lagging behind both in public and private investments compared to other global players. At the same time, regional ecosystems of excellence in Europe are fragmented, as are national laws. To improve the situation and foster European competitiveness in space, policy intervention is needed.
TASK FORCE LEAD
- Chair: Carlo Des Dorides, Former Executive Director, EUSPA
- Rapporteur: Andrea G. Rodríguez, Associate Research Fellow, CEPS
- Rapporteur: Christopher Fischer, Research Fellow, CEPS
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER?
For more information about the objectives and functioning of the Task Force, please refer to the brochure below. To express your interest, kindly complete the registration form and email it to andrea.rodriguez@ceps.eu by 15 March 2025.
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact andrea.rodriguez@ceps.eu directly.
