The world of space exploration is rapidly changing, and Europe simply cannot afford to be a passive bystander. The recent publication of Revolution Space: Europe’s Mission for Space Exploration, a report by a High-Level Advisory Group, emphasizes that countries and regions that do not secure independent access to space and its autonomous use will fall behind and suffer economic deprivation. Unfortunately, Europe is at risk of being one of those regions.
Europe’s traditional approach to space exploration has been one of collaboration as a partner, allowing for efficiency and success in the industry, but creating a dangerous dependency on others for human access to space. In today’s rapidly shifting geopolitical climate and competitive space exploration landscape, this approach is no longer viable. Cooperation is no longer enough when the possibility of space mining and other potentially lucrative markets arise. If Europe wishes to take advantage of these opportunities, it must be self-sufficient in terms of transport systems and technology.
MR comment : Two points : let us not write off previous ESA ambitions. Remember Ariane 5 initially was to be human rated, reusability of its boosters was envisaged, development of Hermes was well advanced before its demise. Which brings us to the second point, not evoked here: can this new European ambition proceed in ESA’s dependency on a multi-national framework? I have attended so many Council and ministerial meetings when varying opinions, lack of trust, even rivalry have forced ESA to cut back on its programs and ambitions? Is ESA’s status (which has achieved so much!) still fit for the future? I have doubts. And as already evoked are European populations ready to foot the bill?
ESA – Director of Space Transportation
Published on his LinkedIn page on 26th May 2023
It’s time for Europe to make a choice: will it lead the space revolution or be left behind?
The future of space exploration is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Europe must take control of its own destiny in this field. Failure to do so could leave Europe vulnerable to economic hardship and strategic dependence. The time for Europe to decide is now: will it ride the wave of the space revolution or be left behind on the sidelines? The High-Level Advisory Group’s report makes a compelling case for Europe to step up its game in the space race. Now, it’s time to fill in the details and figure out the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of our plan. In my view, the ‘what’ is clear: we need to establish access to a human-rated destination in low-Earth orbit (LEO) as a first step towards creating a thriving space economy. LEO is where the International Space Station orbits and where we can lay the foundation for the production of goods and services in space. But we cannot stop at LEO. We must continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, eventually venturing to the moon and beyond. However, we must be realistic and understand that Rome wasn’t built in a day… … and Europe’s space revolution won’t happen overnight. We must take a step-by-step approach and establish intermediate objectives along the way. The first critical step is establishing human-rated transport services to LEO. We are exploring various launcher options, including adapting the Ariane 6 services. However, this is just the beginning. Whatever form our launchers take, they must ultimately be reusable if we want to embrace a wider space economy and engage in higher-intensity launch activities. In short, we must take a strategic approach to space exploration, with a focus on establishing access to LEO and then expanding our reach into the vast expanse of space. This will not happen overnight, but with a step-by-step plan and a commitment to reusable technology, we can make the space revolution a reality for Europe. How do we make it happen? If Europe wants to compete in the space revolution, it needs a reusable launcher. But the real question is, how do we make it happen? The answer is straight: smart investment. ESA must become not only a New Space partner, but also a reliable customer, willing to share in the risks and even accept failure. As the saying goes, if you’re not failing every now and then, you’re not doing anything innovative! Traditionally, ESA would give a company a list of specifications and access to a test bench for a new engine. If the engine failed to meet all requirements during testing, the company wouldn’t achieve the milestone and wouldn’t get paid. This approach discouraged risk-taking and limited competition and innovation. With ESA’s Boost! programme, we’re taking a step-by-step approach that allows companies to fail forward and learn from their mistakes. If a milestone isn’t met, the company can go back to the drawing board and try again until they achieve an innovative, potentially game-changing engine. Another crucial aspect is the concept of being a customer. If we want private industry to invest in space exploration, we need to invest in them. We need to do more than just be an anchor customer. To incentivize risk-taking, we need to bet on our industry partners by agreeing to be an early customer and making upfront payment plans for multiple services. Of course, we must also exercise due diligence and thoroughly vet companies to ensure they can make their business case and are held accountable. In short, to make the space revolution a reality for Europe, we must invest in innovation and be willing to take risks and accept failure. ESA must become a reliable customer and bet on our industry partners, holding them accountable for their actions. With these strategies in place, we can make Europe a leader in the space race and achieve groundbreaking advancements in space exploration. Now it’s time to drive Europe is a powerhouse in so many domains, from ground transportation to finance, and from groundbreaking research to space sciences. We have the knowledge and technological prowess to catch up and take the lead in the space revolution. But the question is, do we want to be drivers or mere passengers? In the space revolution, those who are content with being passengers are left on the sidelines. But the drivers – the ones who compete and claim a share of the global space economy, which is projected to reach EUR 1 trillion by 2040 – keep talent and innovation here in Europe. They stimulate new areas of the economy that have a direct and positive impact on our people and planet. The drivers inspire young people and have the potential to unite the next generation of Europeans. For me, the answer is clear – it’s time to drive. It’s time to invest in Europe and establish our autonomy in space exploration. It’s time to show the world that we are a global player and a reliable partner. We must build a low-Earth-orbit economy and drive Revolution Space forward. Let’s not settle for being just another passenger in the space race. Let’s take the lead and drive towards a brighter future. The potential is limitless, and the benefits are immense. So, let’s harness our knowledge and technological prowess, become drivers in the space revolution, and pave the way for a better tomorrow.MR comment : Two points : let us not write off previous ESA ambitions. Remember Ariane 5 initially was to be human rated, reusability of its boosters was envisaged, development of Hermes was well advanced before its demise. Which brings us to the second point, not evoked here: can this new European ambition proceed in ESA’s dependency on a multi-national framework? I have attended so many Council and ministerial meetings when varying opinions, lack of trust, even rivalry have forced ESA to cut back on its programs and ambitions? Is ESA’s status (which has achieved so much!) still fit for the future? I have doubts. And as already evoked are European populations ready to foot the bill?
Updated/maj. 27-05-2023
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