The recent return of Donald Trump to the White House has sparked significant changes in Europe’s political landscape, particularly regarding military alliances and defense spending. European leaders are re-evaluating their ties with the United States as they brace for a rapidly evolving geopolitical climate. This shift has prompted a drive for greater autonomy in various sectors, including defense and space exploration.
Josef Aschbacher, the director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), emphasizes the necessity for Europe to bolster its investment in space technology to achieve greater self-reliance. In an interview with the Guardian in London, he stated, “There are many domains that are seen in space as the ones where Europe will want to increase its autonomy, and it is crystal clear in a more volatile geopolitical situation the need for more autonomy is there. The situation is changing drastically.”
Currently, the world is experiencing a renewed space race, with governments and private corporations alike making significant advances in satellite technology, sensors, and rocket launches. Analysts predict that this sector could develop into a $1 trillion industry, rivaling today’s airline industry, with anticipated growth in Earth observation, communications, and even space tourism.
The uptick in military spending spurred by Trump’s policies may further accelerate advancements in military space capabilities, as nations seek superior surveillance technologies. Nonetheless, Aschbacher’s role also encompasses advocating for scientific investments that will benefit humanity, with ongoing projects focused on climate monitoring and studying dark matter.
Historically, European space science has relied heavily on cooperation with the United States. Collaborations between the ESA and NASA have yielded significant projects, including sending astronauts to the International Space Station and the James Webb telescope mission, which explores cosmic phenomena. Currently, the ESA operates on a budget of €7.7 billion for the year, considerably smaller than NASA’s budget of $25.4 billion.
In light of Trump’s return to power, there are growing concerns about the continuity of U.S.-European cooperation in space initiatives, especially with potential budget cuts facing NASA. Furthermore, the SpaceX dominance in the space sector, propelled by its reusable Falcon 9 rockets, introduces another layer of complexity as Elon Musk’s influence over space policy may grow under Trump’s administration.
Musk’s controversial cost-reduction strategies could raise concerns over conflicts of interest, considering that one of Trump’s potential NASA appointments, Jared Isaacman, is a billionaire who has collaborated with SpaceX. Aschbacher refrained from commenting on the internal politics surrounding Musk’s influence, focusing instead on the ESA’s objectives.
Aschbacher expressed confidence in ongoing collaboration with American partners on projects like the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon. He remarked, “If changes happen and if our US partners and friends are changing their plans, of course we will be ready for plan B. And certainly we will reinforce our autonomy and our capacity as a consequence of it. But today is not the time to talk about plan B, because plan A is in place.”
However, the ESA is preparing for the possibility of widening its collaborations to include countries like Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and India as part of its “plan B” if the need arises.
In light of significant reliance on SpaceX for launching essential components of the Galileo satellite navigation system, Europe has been confronted with a “launching crisis” following the retirement of the Ariane 5 rocket and the grounding of the Vega C rocket, both operated by Arianespace. Recent news about the successful flight of Arianespace’s Ariane 6 rocket has mitigated some of these challenges.
Aschbacher highlights that the ESA is actively pursuing the development of new launch vehicles capable of competing with SpaceX’s cost-effective solutions through projects such as the Prometheus engine, expected to be operational in a matter of years. Additionally, other European private-sector companies, such as Rocket Factory Augsburg in Germany, are also competing for a share of the launch market.
If successful, these new projects could potentially launch from emerging spaceports in the UK, thus reducing dependency on the ESA’s existing facilities in French Guiana. Aschbacher recognized the significance of developing UK spaceports, particularly the one in Shetland, emphasizing that Brexit has not hindered the UK’s participation in ESA initiatives.
While the ESA’s primary mission remains focused on peaceful exploration of space, the potential military applications of new technologies may garner increased government funding as Europe aims to bolster its defense capabilities.
Despite the pressing security demands, Aschbacher urges for continued investments in scientific research. He likened these investments to those that enabled rapid vaccine development during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that sustained funding in space exploration is essential for maintaining the quality of life in Europe.
“Investments in space in Europe have to increase in order to make sure that Europe can sustain its standard of quality of life and standard of living for its people,” Aschbacher stated. In conclusion, the current geopolitical landscape compels Europe to reassess its strategies, particularly in the realm of space, where autonomy and self-reliance are becoming increasingly critical.
image source from：https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/apr/28/europe-must-boost-space-investment-to-secure-autonomy-from-us-says-esa-boss
