Space exploration is a strategic asset for catalysing innovation & competitiveness, for attracting talent to the space sector and for shaping global alliances and influence. Bringing its value to the forefront of attention of European policymakers can empower a more effective policy and space diplomacy.
In 2023, Revolution Space, a report elaborated by an independent High-Level Advisory Group was presented to ESA Council. It called for Europe to become a leader in space exploration, emphasizing the need to strengthen its autonomy, resilience, and competitiveness in space, and warning that Europe may otherwise “fall behind and become dependent of others”.
Like many wake-up calls, that call for a revolution, to ACT NOW remained unanswered. Two years later, reality has overtaken what appeared visionary then. Seismic geo-political and geo-economic shifts put the future of decades of trans-Atlantic partnership and the future of NASA into question. The weakness of Europe’s traditional role as junior partner is fully exposed.
The challenge may turn into a unique opportunity for Europe, and it now is imperative that European policy makers and agencies, together with industry, act to develop the full value of space exploration for innovation & competitiveness of Europe.
