EU looks beyond its borders to expand space launch capacity

Saturday 26 - 13:58

By: Azzat Manal

EU looks beyond its borders to expand space launch capacity

The European Union is looking beyond its own territory for additional launch sites as it prepares for a sharp increase in demand for satellite launches over the coming years. European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius has warned that existing infrastructure will not be sufficient to meet the bloc’s projected needs.

According to figures presented by Kubilius, the EU could require as many as 62 launches a year by 2034 for programmes including Galileo, Copernicus, secure satellite connectivity and planned Earth-observation services. Current European launch capacity remains significantly below that level, with Ariane 6 expected to reach around 10 launches annually.

The European Commission is therefore examining potential launch locations both within Europe and in partner countries. Norway, the United Kingdom and Canada are among the locations being considered, while Scotland, Portugal and the Azores have also attracted attention as Europe seeks to expand access to space.

Kubilius has described launch infrastructure as a strategic priority for Europe and plans to visit existing and potential launch sites, manufacturing facilities and testing centres as part of efforts to identify bottlenecks. The Commission is expected to use this assessment to develop an action plan aimed at strengthening European access to space.

The issue extends beyond the number of rockets available. Europe also needs sufficient ground infrastructure, including launch pads, testing facilities and supporting services. The European Commission has stressed that resilient and autonomous access to space is important for navigation, telecommunications, Earth observation and security-related applications.

Recent developments demonstrate that alternative European launch locations are becoming increasingly important. German company Isar Aerospace successfully reached orbit from Norway’s Andøya Space in September, marking an important step for privately developed European launch systems. The company is also developing another launch site in Canada, illustrating the growing importance of a multi-site approach.

At the same time, European launcher manufacturers are working to increase the frequency of Ariane 6 missions. Arianespace aims to establish a regular rate of around nine to ten Ariane 6 launches per year from 2027, although supply-chain constraints remain a factor in determining how quickly production can expand.

The expected growth in satellite deployments is also being driven by government, defence and commercial programmes. The EU is developing secure connectivity infrastructure through IRIS², while European countries are expanding their national satellite capabilities. The Commission has also highlighted the importance of maintaining independent access to space as satellite systems become increasingly important to economic and security activities.

Europe nevertheless faces strong international competition. SpaceX has established a much higher launch cadence than European operators, while the United States and China continue to expand their space capabilities. Against this backdrop, Brussels is seeking a combination of new launch sites, additional European rockets and closer cooperation between governments, the European Space Agency and private companies to increase launch capacity.

The EU’s search for additional launch locations therefore reflects a broader effort to build a more resilient European space ecosystem. Expanding access to launch infrastructure, while increasing the production and availability of European launch vehicles, is expected to become a central element of the bloc’s space strategy over the next decade.