Europe is on the cusp of its first mainland satellite launch from either Shetland or Andøya, Norway; a milestone that represents far more than just access to space. Spaceports are no longer mere markers of engineering or commercial experiments; they are critical instruments of sovereignty, resilience and geopolitical influence.
Yet, currently, Europe’s patchwork of spaceports are run by a combination of intergovernmental organisations, national space agencies and private commercial companies, each operating with its own objectives. Without proper coordination between stakeholders, there’s a risk that spaceports become isolated initiatives rather than forming a coherent European launch network.
Governments need to treat spaceports as strategic infrastructure, much like airports and seaports, and guide their early development to ensure stability and coordination. Doing so will allow Europe’s space economy to scale, strengthen resilience through multiple launch sites and reduce reliance on non-European providers such as SpaceX.
We’re now in a world where previous alliances cannot be entirely counted on, so spaceports must be treated as strategic infrastructure.
Europe has the talent and technology to lead in space, but leadership demands ambition and urgency.
Building a launch network that lasts
Creating a launch ecosystem that is reliable, scalable and resilient is no easy feat. Left entirely to the private sector, spaceports risk fragmentation, with inconsistent standards and regulatory bottlenecks that could delay progress. Left entirely to the public sector, spaceports could be far less agile than they need to be.
Just as an airport design is a collaborative effort between airports and airlines to ensure efficiency, safety and the ability to handle current and future passenger and cargo demands, spaceports need to be driven by launchers and their launch plans. Governments might fund core launch hubs, harmonise cross-border regulations, or ensure interoperability between sites, making it easier to transfer launch licences between nations and sites and coordinate operations. Multiple government-designated spaceports reduce single-point dependencies, enhance operational flexibility and provide alternatives in the event of technical failures, environmental challenges, or geopolitical disruptions. There are many potential advantages, yet the reality is that it can’t happen without an adequate demand from launch providers that are ready to go.
Spacetech is a capital-intensive industry, and state backing through government-run spaceports can de-risk early operations while stimulating clusters of private investment and innovation. A successful space sector cannot and should not operate in a silo: it needs the collaboration of the public and private sectors, as well as universities and industry. When governments prioritise an industry, it gives companies the confidence that their efforts will be supported, encouraging long-term projects and unlocking the full potential of commercial enterprise.
Only with regular launch efforts can these sites become hubs of economic growth and innovation; places where aerospace firms, startups and research institutions converge to test, scale and build new technologies.
The benefits don’t stop at the space sector. The technologies developed for modern launchers, such as hybrid propulsion, additive manufacturing, advanced composites and autonomous guidance systems, have applications far beyond aerospace. They spill over into automotive, energy and AI-driven industries, creating ripple effects across the wider European tech sector and economy. A stable, connected launch infrastructure ensures these breakthroughs stay in Europe, fuelling growth far beyond the space sector itself.
Securing Europe’s place in orbit
But the case for sovereign launch isn’t just economic or commercial. Europe’s space ambitions carry a deeper strategic imperative. In an era of growing geopolitical tensions, Europe’s ability to reach orbit on its own terms is as much a matter of security and strategic autonomy. Satellites now underpin many aspects of modern life, from communication and navigation to environmental monitoring and defence. Without diverse independent launch capabilities across the continent, Europe remains dependent on non-European launch providers and is subject to ever-shifting political whims and priorities.
The global race for orbital access is intensifying. The US continues to expand its capabilities (758 satellites launched over the last 10 years), while China (501), Russia (212), India (45) and other emerging space powers are rapidly advancing both commercial and military launch programmes. Europe (which has launched 84 satellites over the last decade) cannot depend indefinitely on foreign partners for its most sensitive missions.
With delays at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana from trying to maintain and update ground equipment; bottlenecks in the UK in establishing launch regulations and availability of pads to launch from; and rapid advances across the US, Asia and the Middle East (where annual investment is expected to double by 2032), Europe is running out of time to define its own place in the global launch market.
The European Space Agency is seeking €22bn from its member states over the next three years (a 36% increase from its previous budget) to strengthen and synchronise its space-based defence capabilities. As other nations surge ahead, Europe must stump up the capital, decide how its members should collaborate and choose whether it wants to control its own fate or allow others to chart its course.
This is a pivotal moment, and Europe has the EU space law in place to guide the way. By coordinating investment and backing innovation across public and private sectors, Europe can establish a coordinated and resilient launch ecosystem. It’s fundamental that this goes hand-in-hand with regular launches to inform spaceports as the most useful and relevant piece of infrastructure. Without this crucial piece of the puzzle, we are deliberating over the abstract when it comes to industrial growth, technological advancement and skilled employment.
