Only with a thriving and competitive space industry can Europe futureproof its defence, supercharge innovation, and boost its champions in the digital economy and in globally competitive sectors.
Europe in space is being blinded by the bright light of disruption of the global space ecosystem, brought by new industrial challengers and rising space powers.
The Competitiveness and Innovation gaps are widening, and space is no exception. Once a global export leader across a spectrum of products and services, Europe is now facing a massive challenge in terms of receding market shares, low profitability and an ecosystem that is no longer able to keep pace with global disruptions and evolving needs.
But, unlike in many other DeepTech industries, Europe still has all it takes to reclaim its edge in space, as long as it acts with bravery and intent.
With the purpose to widen the political debate on reclaiming Europe’s industrial edge in space, this ESPI report:
- Puts speed, agility and innovation at the core, as most critical for success in a global space race. Reclaiming industrial edge cannot come from simply scaling up the existing offer and processes.
- Urges the space community to elaborate an (industrial) vision, embedding space as enabler of prosperity and peace. Competitiveness and sovereignty need each other, one cannot be sustainable without the other.
