Europe should explore opportunities in small satellite launches, AI and autonomous systems, and the circular economy in space, experts say
From left to right: Stijn Vermoote, head of user outreach and engagement (ECMWF), Francesco Topputo, professor of space systems at Politecnico di Milano, Kate Robson-Brown, president of the European Low Gravity Research Association, Florin Zubascu, executive editor at Science|Business, speaking at a S|B conference in June 12. Photo credits: Jeroen Vanhecke
Europe needs to strengthen its space sector, refocusing its investments and strategies, according to sector experts speaking at a Science|Business conference in June 12.
“Access to space launchers [is the] most critical item” according to Francesco Topputo, professor of space systems at Politecnico di Milano. The technology is already there, he went on, but Europe needs to work on enabling reusable launchers.
These could lower the cost of space missions and “trigger a completely different market in in Europe,” he said.
At the moment, Europe’s launch capacity is a long way behind its global rivals. In 2024 it had just three space launches, while the US carried out 146 launches, 130 of which were operated by the company SpaceX. In the same year, China ran over 60 launches, while Russia launched 16 times.
The European Space…
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