🤔 Europe's Space Future: Vision, Strategy... and Execution?
This week is all about European rockets! Let's go Isar Aerospace!
Welcome to Aerospace Insider 🚀
In this week’s issue, we’re diving into the latest and greatest from Europe’s booming space sector. Big things are happening!
Today’s summary:
🚀 Aerospace News: rockets, rockets and more rockets!
💼 Top Space Jobs: jobs, jobs and (you guessed it) more jobs!
🔍 Deep Dive: strategies, strategies and (of course…) more strategies!
Aerospace Weekly Roundup
Catch the latest European & global space industry highlights you can't afford to miss!
🚀 MaiaSpace signs first commercial launch contract
MaiaSpace has secured its first commercial launch contract with Exotrail for multiple launches starting in 2027. The contract involves launching Exotrail's spacevan vehicles on MaiaSpace's small launch vehicle, set to begin operations in late 2026 from French Guiana. The vehicle can carry up to 1500 kg to orbit and aims to be reusable. This partnership aims to enhance launch flexibility and support European space transportation.
🚀 Pangea Aerospace raises €23M for space propulsion
Pangea Aerospace has secured €23 million in Series A funding to advance its rocket engine technology. The investment will support the development of its aerospike engine and expand manufacturing facilities.
Pangea aims to grow in the European propulsion market, focusing on both institutional and private customers. The company has active contracts with the European Space Agency and others, emphasising its role as a propulsion specialist.
🚀 ESA to publish European Launcher Challenge call next week
ESA will release a call for proposals for the European Launcher Challenge, aiming to develop sovereign launch capabilities and a successor to Ariane 6. The program will offer multiple €150 million awards with a focus on smaller launchers. Companies have six weeks to submit their proposals, with evaluations leading to funding discussions at ESA's November Ministerial Council meeting. The initiative seeks to enhance Europe's space access and support innovative launch solutions.
🚀 Spectrum test flight delayed due to winds
The first test flight of Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket has been postponed due to unfavourable winds. The rocket and launch site remain in good condition. The team is working with Andøya Spaceport to determine a new launch window which will be announced soon. This mission aims to make Isar the first private European company to reach orbit.
🛰️ Spaceo wins ESA contract for inflatable drag sail test
A consortium led by Portuguese startup Spaceo has secured a €3 million ESA contract to test an inflatable drag sail for deorbiting small satellites by 2028. The sail will be launched in 2027 and aims to reduce a satellite's altitude by 100 km within a year and complete a full deorbit in 14-16 months.
👇 ESA releases 2040 strategy
But we can talk about this in our deep dive…
🔍 What caught your eye this week? I cover the biggest stories, but there’s always more happening. Reply and let me know what space news you found most interesting or what I should cover next!
Space Jobs Spotlight 🔍
Curated roles to accelerate your career in Europe’s thriving space sector.
🚀 Internships & Graduates
FEM Internship — Latitude
Office Management Internship — PLD Space
Propulsion Test Internship — Isar Aerospace
Working Student — Isar Aerospace
💼 Space Jobs
System Engineer — LSE Space
Flight Dynamics Engineer — Sateliot
Product Assurance Engineer — PLD Space
Additive Manufacturing Engineer — Pangea Aerospace
Electronics Engineer — FOSSA Systems
Structural Dynamics Engineer — Latitude
Mechanical Design Engineer — Pangea Aerospace
Thermal Management Engineer — Latitude
Controls & Automation Engineer — Isar Aerospace
Senior GNC Engineer — Space Inventor
🎓 PhD Opportunities
No opportunities this week. Get in touch if you want me to share some next time.
💡 Looking for a new job? I do more than just share listings. I can help you stand out. If you want a fresh set of eyes on your resume: click here.
ESA’s 2040 Strategy: a bold vision or business as usual?
The European Space Agency recently unveiled its vision for the next 15 years, setting out five ambitious goals that aim to shape Europe’s space future:
1️⃣ Protecting our planet and climate
2️⃣ Exploring and discovering
3️⃣ Strengthening European autonomy and resilience
4️⃣ Boosting economic growth and competitiveness
5️⃣ Inspiring Europe
It all sounds promising but is it enough? You can read for yourself the report here
The vision check
There’s no doubt that having a vision matters. But the real question is how ESA intends to achieve these goals. Europe currently accounts for just 11% of global space investment, lagging significantly behind the us and China. Meanwhile, private companies like SpaceX (but not only them: hello, RocketLab, Blue Origin, Firefly…) are setting new standards for speed and innovation. So can ESA’s roadmap actually close the gap?
The money check
Money talks: and Europe’s investment in space has lagged behind its ambitions. While ESA lays out grand objectives (which is good and important, don’t get me wrong), there’s little clarity on whether funding will scale accordingly. Without significant increases in investment (both public and private) it’s hard to see how Europe can compete globally. The US and China are not just setting goals; they’re executing them with a lot of funding. And let’s be honest: funding is critical.
The speed check
2040 might feel like a reasonable long-term plan, but in an era where SpaceX can develop Starship in just a few years, that timeline raises eyebrows. Or it should to you at least. Just to give some reference: Firefly Aerospace sort of started working on a lunar lander back in 2019. Six years later, they landed on the Moon.
The point is that having a vision is important but in 15 years a lot can and will change. The key here is to have the ability to get things done at a pace that keeps up with the industry. Too much bureaucracy and fragmented decision-making remain significant hurdles… despite whatever Objective 5.1 says about “world-class project management”
Haha, sure.
The autonomy check
One of ESA’s key goals is strengthening European autonomy. And this one is important. But so it was 5/10 years ago as well… but simply not that urgent.
Right now, Europe relies on SpaceX for critical launches and faces delays in developing its own launch solutions. The IRIS² satellite constellation, often claimed to be Europe’s answer to Starlink, is still in very early stages (no chance they launch before 2030: want to bet? Reply if so 😉)
This one is tricky because it’s possible to achieve autonomy but at what cost? Europe technically already has autonomous access to space, to give an example, with Ariane 6… But is it competitive or does it have to rely on public subsidies to survive? Subsidised autonomy is not real autonomy.
The strategy check
ESA’s strategy shows ambition but ambition alone won’t make Europe competitive in space. The investment gap, slow execution speed and lack of private-sector-driven disruption/change (so mention some) raise concerns about whether this plan will change things significantly.
However: Europe has the talent and technology to lead: but we must back it up with action (and funding and less bureaucracy to make it easier for private players to take action).
The big question remains: is this the strategy that will make Europe a true space power?
No We will have to wait and see 🤷♂️
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See you next week.
Jaime