SPACE FOR EUROPE

Abstract

Outer space has experienced a considerable democratisation over the past fifteen years. The emergence across the globe of numerous private, commercially-driven space players, termed ‘New Space’, tends to eclipse the ever-increasing strategic relevance of space assets. Discussions about European strategic autonomy -the ability for Europe to act on its own when necessary- have, nonetheless, stressed the importance of space in this framework. However, it remains unclear how this pursuit of strategic autonomy concretely affects European citizens and businesses, including in the New Space sector. This thesis consists in a single-case study of the EU CASSINI initiative, which provides multidimensional support to European space entrepreneurs. Drawing on interviews with representatives of 13 participating companies, complemented by EU documents related to the initiative, this thesis aims to investigate how the pursuit of European strategic autonomy shapes the development of the New Space ecosystem, in material and ideational terms. In other words, it delves into the concrete implications of the high-level search for autonomy for European New Space companies. The results suggest that European support mechanisms for New Space players are becoming increasingly conditional upon these companies’ contribution to strategic autonomy, although commercial considerations still trump strategic ones. Besides, the potential of space for defence is progressively emphasised in European fora, with an invitation to develop dual-use solutions. The results indicate that the idea of European autonomy, especially vis-à-vis the US, is making its way among New Space companies. However, while the defence dimension of this autonomisation is increasingly presented as acceptable, companies remain reluctant to engage in this direction other than for profit motives.