European Space Agency Chief Urges Europe to Raise Its Ambitions

Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), said Europe needs to work harder to compete against global space organizations to succeed in the space race.

According to Reuters, large European satellite makers are building alliances to keep up with new technologies and developments to compete against Elon Musk’s Starlink. However, Aschbacher hasn’t disclosed information about these possible strategic relations but shared concerns about Europe not being able to keep up in the industry.

“Europe needs to accelerate its activities in space, needs to raise its profile, needs to raise its ambition, otherwise we will risk falling behind,” Aschbacher said during an interview with the news agency in Milan at the global space meeting this week.

Aschbacher believes in the current talent and resources but worries about the future. “I know that we have the capacity and excellence of the European industry. What I’m more worried about is … how and what does Europe need to succeed on the global stage?” said the intergovernmental organization’s director.

“Being successful means using taxpayers’ money in the best possible way to create a maximum impact for our industry for European needs, and obviously also to put them in good conditions for the global competitive base, ” added Aschbacher.

Just a few days ago, the European aerospace group Airbus announced the layoff of 2,500 jobs from its Defence and Space division due to losses in the satellite business.

ESA faces strong competition from international organizations and companies like Starlink and SpaceX—which recently launched its fifth starship rocket and made history by catching a heavy booster back in the launch tower for the first time.

More private companies are building and developing space technologies. Robinhood’s cofounder recently launched a space-based solar power startup called Aetherflux.