Brussels revitalizes its space industry through EU programs and African partnerships amid global competition from US and China.
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Brussels is regaining momentum in the space industry after over a decade of delays, with Italy promoting its “Mattei Plan” to strengthen ties between Rome, Brussels, and African economies, including fostering a link between the European and African space agencies. The EU’s recovery from a “launcher drought,” which began after Ariane 5 retired, was marked by the successful launch of Ariane 6 in July 2024, signaling a step toward strategic autonomy. The European Commission’s analysis shows positive trends for the EU’s space program, with significant projected socio-economic benefits from Earth observation and satellite navigation systems like Galileo and EGNOS. To boost competitiveness, the ESA is adopting a model similar to NASA by purchasing commercial services, such as cargo transport to the ISS, and is developing its own communication system, IRIS2, to address connectivity gaps. This resurgence is also driven by geopolitical competition from the US and China, with the EU striving to maintain relevance against global space powers while managing internal economic integration challenges.
