Europe’s rocket gap slows push for military space autonomy
European officials and companies are trying to build launch capacity as the US, China and Russia expand military activity in orbit.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Europe is trying to reduce its reliance on foreign rockets as military activity in space accelerates. Bloomberg reported that the effort is being held back by limited launch capacity, fragmented national priorities and the absence of enough heavy rockets to send large payloads to orbit regularly.
Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway has become a focal point of that push, according to Bloomberg. Ketil Olsen, chief executive of Andøya Space and a former Norwegian vice admiral, told Bloomberg that launch access matters for Norway, the EU and Europe because it is tied to strategic autonomy, sovereignty and independence.
The urgency comes as satellites have become central to observation, communications and geolocation, Bloomberg reported. The US, China and Russia are spending more than $200 billion on space-related military efforts, have placed hundreds of satellites in orbit over the past half-decade and have tested weapons on Earth and in space, according to Bloomberg.
Europe’s launch gap is wide. Bloomberg reported that China’s Long March 5 and Russia’s Proton-M and Angara A5 can each carry about 25,000 kilograms to orbit, while SpaceX says its Falcon Heavy can carry nearly 64,000 kilograms. Arianespace’s Ariane 6 can lift about 22,000 kilograms, but Bloomberg reported that production and infrastructure constraints limit it to roughly 10 launches a year.
The US averaged more than 15 launches a month in 2025, led by SpaceX, according to Bloomberg. Bleddyn Bowen, an associate professor of astropolitics at Durham University, told Bloomberg that Europe would need to meet its own satellite needs if it wants to be a sovereign space power.
European startups are trying to provide alternatives, but Bloomberg reported that their rockets have so far made only a small number of launch attempts and tend to focus on speed, reuse and domestic security rather than heavy payloads. Germany’s Isar Aerospace has repeatedly scrubbed its planned “Onward and Upward” mission from Andøya, according to Bloomberg. Its first launch attempt a year ago flew for about 30 seconds before crashing, and its Spectrum rocket is expected to carry only 1,000 kilograms.
Daniel Metzler, Isar Aerospace’s chief executive and co-founder, told Bloomberg that launch scrubs are part of the rocket business and that each attempt brings useful experience. He said the company would reach orbit and show reliable access to space.
Military risks in orbit are also growing. Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell’s data show more than 600 military satellites overhead, according to Bloomberg. McDowell told Bloomberg that conditions in orbit are more tense than they were a decade ago and raised concern about miscalculation.
Bloomberg reported that India, China and Russia have tested ground-launched anti-satellite missiles, while the US last conducted such a test in 2008 and later declared a self-imposed moratorium. The US, China and Russia have also deployed satellites able to maneuver close to other countries’ spacecraft, according to Bloomberg.
Germany has already reported interference with Bundeswehr systems by two Russian Luch-Olymp intelligence-gathering satellites, Bloomberg reported, citing Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Pistorius said Moscow and Beijing can disrupt, blind, manipulate or destroy satellites, according to Bloomberg. Berlin has pledged €35 billion for defensive and offensive space capabilities by 2030.
European governments are responding with new programs. Bloomberg reported that Poland is buying three synthetic aperture radar satellites from Finland’s Iceye for €200 million, while the UK has set aside £3.2 billion for space capabilities. France is developing small “bodyguard” systems for sensitive satellites and testing laser concepts to interfere with hostile activity, Xavier Pasco of France’s Foundation for Strategic Research told Bloomberg.
The EU is also building secure communications systems. Bloomberg reported that the IRIS2 and GOVSATCOM effort is part of a €10.6 billion program meant to provide an alternative to Starlink and reduce dependence on US support. IRIS2 is planned to include 290 satellites in multiple orbits and be fully operational by 2030, according to Bloomberg.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.