Europe 'gets real' about space defence
ESA has always focused on science and exploration. It's now also looking at how it can contribute to defence.
This newsletter was brought to you by Sonder London, and we like to hear from our readers. So if you have any feedback or story suggestions, get in touch. And thanks for reading.
In Euractiv, Joshua Posaner reports that the European Space Agency’s newfound willingness to talk about defence is the latest sign of a security sea-change:
‘Just a year ago, it would've been unthinkable for the European Space Agency (ESA) to stray from its purely civilian and scientific brief. But defence considerations are at the very core of the agency's new ambitions to launch a military-grade satellite network as part of a record-breaking budget ask. …
It's the latest sign that Europe's institutions are becoming serious about security. Speaking in Warsaw on Tuesday at a space security event put on by the EU’s Polish presidency, ESA boss Josef Aschbacher said that until just a few months ago defence was a word "we were not allowed to use” at the agency. That’s because capitals prefer to keep a hold on military matters both on Earth and up in orbit.
But while touting a joint plan with the Commission to develop a near real-time reconnaissance satellite network, Aschbacher was clear that times are starting to change. “If I would have had this discussion even one year ago, it would not have been possible,” said Aschbacher.’
Writing for Politics Home, Sophie Church reports that the UK is paying closer and closer attention to space:
‘Where military might was once flexed in the air, on land and on sea, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has unveiled space as warfare’s new frontier. Now, with Elon Musk threatening to pull his Starlink satellites from Ukraine, Europe is scrabbling to stump up its own capabilities. As the continent embarks on a new space race, can the UK lead?
Without space, the British economy would lose £1.2bn a day. Yet currently, only around one per cent of the UK’s defence budget is spent on space. The National Space Council – run by ministers across government – last sat 643 days ago. The UK continues to depend on US satellites for its GPS services, and following Brexit, no longer participates in the EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system.
Critics say the UK has squandered its power in space. Industry figures painfully remember the day – 28 October 1971 – when the UK’s only launch system, Black Arrow, was retired, after the US offered its own rockets at a reduced price. The UK is currently the only country to have successfully developed and then abandoned a satellite launch capability. However, as the war continues in Europe, the UK is shifting gear.’
ESA has joined the world space community in congratulating the African Space Agency, which brings together the 55 member countries of the African Union to coordinate and implement Africa's space ambitions, on its official inauguration:
‘Its headquarters are in Egypt, which launched Africa's first satellite in 1998. Since then, 18 African countries have launched a further 63 satellites and many African nations have implemented their own space programmes to the benefit of their people. AfSA has the goal of harnessing space science and technology for Africa's socio-economic development, promoting collaborative research and the peaceful exploration of outer space.
The inauguration of AfSA came just prior to the start of this week's NewSpace Africa conference, which brings together space agencies and space companies from around the world to discuss how space innovation can help empower Africa's economy.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher offered ESA's congratulations on the inauguration of the agency saying: “The establishment of the African Space Agency is a real milestone for the continent and signals an important advance for Africa’s space strategy. Space has the power to spur innovation and inspiration, and I look forward to working together for the benefit of citizens on both continents.”’
In TIME, Antoine Rostand of Kayrros argues that Trump’s climate scepticism has opened the door to smarter regulation – such as using satellites to track methane leaks and punishing the culprits:
‘Consider methane. It’s one of the easiest climate wins available to us, and yet few have taken advantage of this opportunity. Granted, the Biden administration came close with the methane fee—a data-backed piece of regulation recently scrapped by Congress. But even that policy was unnecessarily convoluted, and in any case, oil and gas companies were reluctant to be transparent. Satellite imagery, made intelligible and actionable with AI, lets us track leaks almost in real time. Data shows that half of all methane cuts in oil and gas could be made at little or no cost, for the simple reason that stopping leaks increases revenue through the sale of the non-burnt gas.
Truly smart regulation could include something like a methane speeding ticket slapped on those who are spewing the gas too freely into the atmosphere and have the financial means and moral obligation to eliminate externalities. If Trump blocks progress domestically, other major trading partners (like the EU, Korea, an Japan) could impose climate-friendly trade rules, like carbon border adjustments or import standards. That could nudge the U.S. market to comply indirectly, even under the current administration.’
In Space News, Louis Friedman argues that China, not the US, will ‘lead the charge’ to both Mars and the Moon:
‘With robotic missions and progress to a moon base, the Chinese are leading. In this decade they have conducted two lunar sample returns with rovers, including one to the lunar far side. The U.S. has never done a robotic lunar sample return. China has also begun emplacement of the lunar communication infrastructure and initiated first steps in development of the planned International lunar research station. In that same time, the U.S. has cancelled its only planned lunar rover and conducted several attempted smallsat missions with new companies — only one of which has succeeded with a two-week mission.
On Mars, the U.S. has delayed its Mars Sample Return plans, despite the wonderful collection already assembled by its Perseverance rover, while China has actually accelerated its timetable for a Mars Sample Return to launch in 2028.’
Bogdan Gogulan, MD of NewSpace Capital, and Air Marshal Andrew Turner, of the Industry Advisory Board, argued in The Defense Post that breaking down barriers to defence startups would boost space and, by extension, the wider European economy:
‘To harness innovation and apply Ukraine’s lessons, governments must reform acquisition systems. And investors must overcome their queasiness about defense.
Prosperity cannot thrive without security. Ukraine is proof of that. Defense investment should sit at the top of the environmental, social, and governance principles that guide responsible investing, not the bottom. This would drive benefits across sectors, from connectivity and sustainability to disaster response, agriculture, and beyond.
Space is a perfect example. Space-based capabilities underpin almost everything on Earth, including defense. A strong defense sector means a strong space sector. And a strong space sector means a strong economy.’