A Guide to Europe’s Commercial Launch Providers

Introduction

The European space launch industry is undergoing its most significant transformation in half a century. For decades, access to orbit from the continent was the exclusive domain of government-led initiatives, a strategic capability guaranteed by a single family of launchers. The Ariane rocket, developed through the multinational collaboration of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 1973, was the undisputed pillar of Europe’s independent access to space, launching from the strategically positioned Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. This centralized model, while successful in serving institutional and large commercial satellite markets, is now evolving to meet the demands of a new era.

Today, the landscape is a dynamic mix of established industrial giants and a vibrant ecosystem of private start-ups, a movement often referred to as “NewSpace.” This shift is propelled by two powerful forces: the explosive growth of the small satellite market and an intensifying geopolitical desire for sovereign, flexible, and responsive access to space. The proliferation of small satellites, used for everything from Earth observation and communications to in-orbit technology demonstrations, has created a demand for smaller, dedicated launch vehicles that can deliver payloads to precise orbits on faster timelines, without the constraints of ridesharing on a large rocket.

In response, Europe is pursuing a sophisticated dual-track strategy. It continues to invest heavily in its legacy programs, now modernized in the form of the heavy-lift Ariane 6 and the medium-lift Vega-C, to ensure reliable service for high-value government missions and large commercial telecommunications satellites. Simultaneously, ESA and national governments across the continent—most notably in Germany, the UK, France, and Spain—are actively cultivating a competitive field of private microlauncher companies through strategic funding, technical support, and the development of new spaceports on European soil.

This is not merely an economic calculation; it is a strategic imperative. The call for “sovereign access to space” reflects a clear objective to reduce reliance on foreign launch providers and enhance national security amid a complex global environment. Having multiple, domestically-based launch providers operating from European launchpads in places like Norway, Scotland, and Sweden is seen as a foundational element of 21st-century strategic autonomy. This report provides a detailed guide to the key commercial companies, both established and emerging, that are defining the future of European space launch.

European & UK Commercial Launch Vehicles at a Glance

The following table provides a comparative overview of the primary orbital launch vehicles being developed and operated by commercial companies across Europe and the United Kingdom. It offers a snapshot of their physical characteristics, capabilities, and current development status, illustrating the diverse range of solutions emerging to serve the modern space economy.

The Established Leaders: Pillars of European Launch

At the core of Europe’s space transportation capability are two industrial giants that have, for decades, provided the continent with reliable access to orbit. These companies, operating in close partnership with the European Space Agency, represent the established order. They are now adapting their proven technologies and industrial processes to compete in a rapidly changing global market.

Arianespace / ArianeGroup (France)

Arianespace and ArianeGroup form the industrial backbone of Europe’s heavy-lift launch capability. Arianespace, founded in 1980, holds the distinction of being the world’s first commercial launch services company. It is the public-facing entity responsible for marketing, selling, and operating launch services for both the Ariane and Vega rocket families, serving a global clientele of institutional and commercial satellite operators.

The manufacturing and development powerhouse behind the rocket is ArianeGroup. Established in 2015 as a 50/50 joint venture between two of Europe’s largest aerospace and defense firms, Airbus and Safran, ArianeGroup is the prime contractor for the Ariane family of launchers. This structure effectively separates the complex task of building the rocket (ArianeGroup) from the business of selling and managing the launch service (Arianespace). Both entities operate primarily from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, a world-class spaceport whose location near the equator provides a natural performance advantage for launching satellites into geostationary orbit.

This entire structure represents a strategic adaptation to intense global competition. The Ariane 5, while a remarkably reliable vehicle, became increasingly expensive to operate compared to newer market entrants. The decision by ESA in 2014 to fund the development of a successor was not just a technological step but a fundamental shift in business strategy. The resulting launcher, Ariane 6, embodies this new philosophy. It was designed from the ground up with cost-efficiency and market responsiveness in mind. Its modular design and the deliberate effort to create industrial synergies with the Vega C program are direct attempts to make European launch more agile and economically sustainable in the NewSpace era.

Websites: www.arianespace.com and www.ariane.group

Launch Vehicle: Ariane 6

The Ariane 6 is Europe’s new-generation heavy-lift launch system, engineered to succeed the venerable Ariane 5 and secure Europe’s leadership position in the fiercely competitive global launch market. Its core design principle is versatility. To cater to a wide spectrum of missions and payload masses, the Ariane 6 is offered in two distinct configurations:

• Ariane 62 (A62): This version is equipped with two P120C solid rocket boosters and is tailored for institutional missions and smaller satellite constellations.
• Ariane 64 (A64): This more powerful variant uses four P120C solid rocket boosters, providing the performance needed to launch large telecommunications satellites or multiple heavy payloads simultaneously.

The rocket’s main propulsion consists of a Lower Liquid Propulsion Module powered by a Vulcain 2.1 engine and an Upper Liquid Propulsion Module featuring the advanced, re-ignitable Vinci engine. Both engines use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellants. The Vinci engine’s ability to restart in space gives the Ariane 6 exceptional flexibility, allowing it to deliver satellites to multiple different orbits on a single flight.

The performance capabilities are substantial. The Ariane 64 can lift over 21,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and up to 11,500 kg to the commercially vital Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). The Ariane 62 can deliver over 10,000 kg to LEO and 4,500 kg to GTO. Following its successful inaugural flight on July 9, 2024, the Ariane 6 is now operational and has begun its commercial service life.

Avio (Italy)

Avio is an Italian aerospace company with a rich heritage in propulsion technology that stretches back to 1908. Based in Colleferro, near Rome, the company has established itself as a European leader in solid, liquid, and cryogenic propulsion systems for both space launchers and tactical missiles. Within the European space ecosystem, Avio is the prime contractor for the Vega family of small-to-medium lift launchers, an ESA program where approximately 65% of the vehicle is developed and manufactured in Italy. In a structure parallel to that of Ariane, Avio develops and builds the Vega rockets, while the commercial launch services are managed and sold by Arianespace.

Avio’s strategy showcases a model of incremental innovation and powerful industrial synergy. Rather than designing entirely new vehicles from scratch, the company has focused on evolving its proven Vega platform to meet new market demands. The progression from the original Vega to the more capable Vega-C, and now the development of the next-generation Vega-E, demonstrates a clear, step-by-step approach that builds upon flight-proven heritage, reducing risk and development time.

A cornerstone of this strategy is the sharing of components with the Ariane 6 program. This collaboration is a masterstroke of industrial efficiency designed to lower costs across Europe’s entire launch portfolio. By creating a larger production volume for a single, critical component, the unit cost is driven down for both launch systems, enhancing the competitiveness of European launchers as a whole. This approach represents a more conservative but highly effective path to innovation when compared to the “clean sheet” designs of many startups.

Website: www.avio.com

Launch Vehicle: Vega C

The Vega-C is a significantly upgraded version of the original Vega rocket. It was developed to provide enhanced performance, greater payload volume, and increased flexibility to better serve the dynamic small satellite market. Standing nearly 35 meters tall, the Vega-C is a four-stage rocket. The first three stages are powered by solid propellant, providing immense thrust for the initial ascent. The fourth and final stage, known as the Attitude Vernier Upper Module (AVUM+), is a sophisticated liquid-propellant engine.

Two key features define the Vega-C. The first is its first-stage motor, the P120C. This is the largest monolithic carbon-fiber solid rocket motor ever built and is the exact same motor used for the strap-on boosters of the Ariane 6 launcher. The second key feature is the AVUM+ upper stage. Its engine is re-ignitable and can be fired up to seven times in a single mission. This capability allows the Vega-C to perform complex orbital maneuvers, such as deploying multiple satellites into several different orbits with high precision. At the end of its mission, the AVUM+ can perform a final burn to deorbit itself, ensuring it does not become space debris.

The Vega-C can deliver payloads of approximately 2,300 kg to a 700 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) and up to 3,300 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The vehicle is operational and has conducted several launches, including the successful deployment of ESA‘s Biomass satellite.

Launch Vehicle: Vega E (Evolution)

The Vega-E represents the next step in the launcher’s evolution and is currently in development. This future version is designed to further increase performance and reduce operational costs. The most significant upgrade will be a new, advanced upper stage that uses more environmentally sustainable propellants: cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid methane. This stage will be powered by the new M10 engine, which makes extensive use of additive manufacturing (3D printing) to simplify production. The maiden flight of the Vega-E is anticipated around 2028.

The Challengers: Europe’s Microlaunch Revolution

While the established leaders adapt, a new wave of privately funded companies is rising across the continent. These challengers are focused squarely on the small satellite market, developing smaller, more responsive “microlaunchers.” They are driving innovation in manufacturing, propulsion, and business models, creating a vibrant and competitive new layer in Europe’s space industry.

German Front-Runners

Germany has emerged as the undisputed epicenter of Europe’s NewSpace launch sector. The concentration of three of the continent’s most credible and well-funded start-ups—Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg, and HyImpulse—is no accident. It is the result of a powerful national strategy and a fertile ecosystem that combines world-class technical universities, the institutional expertise of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and direct, strategic investment from the German government. This combination has created a flywheel effect, positioning the nation to become a dominant force in the microlauncher market. The German government’s commitment was underscored by a pledge of €95 million to be shared among its three leading launch start-ups, a clear signal of its intent to foster a sovereign commercial launch capability.

Isar Aerospace

Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the prestigious Technical University of Munich, Isar Aerospace has rapidly become one of Europe’s best-funded private space companies, securing over €400 million in capital from a range of high-profile investors. The company, based in Ottobrunn, is pursuing a strategy of high vertical integration, meaning it designs and manufactures the vast majority of its rocket components in-house. This approach, which relies heavily on advanced techniques like additive manufacturing, is intended to give the company maximum control over its supply chain, production timelines, and costs.

Website: isaraerospace.com

Launch Vehicle: Spectrum

The Spectrum is a two-stage launch vehicle designed specifically for deploying small and medium-sized satellites and constellations into orbit. Standing 28 meters tall, the rocket is powered by liquid propellants—propane and liquid oxygen—which were chosen for their high performance and cleaner combustion properties. The first stage is propelled by a cluster of nine of the company’s in-house designed “Aquila” engines. The second stage uses a single, vacuum-optimized version of the Aquila engine that has multi-ignition capability, allowing for mission flexibility. The Spectrum is designed to carry a payload of up to 1,000 kg to LEO or 700 kg to a Sun-Synchronous Orbit.

The vehicle is currently in the development and testing phase. On March 30, 2025, Isar Aerospace conducted the inaugural test flight of Spectrum from the Andøya Spaceport in Norway. This launch marked a historic moment as the first-ever vertical orbital rocket launch from continental Western Europe. Although the rocket experienced an anomaly approximately 30 seconds into the flight, which led to the flight being terminated, the company considered the test a valuable data-gathering exercise that validated key systems, including liftoff and the flight termination system.

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA)

Rocket Factory Augsburg, commonly known as RFA, was established in 2018 as a corporate spin-off of OHB SE, a major German satellite manufacturer and space technology company. This backing from an established industry player gives RFA a unique foundation of experience and resources. The company’s core philosophy, centered in Augsburg, is to “build rockets just like cars,” emphasizing industrial-scale serial production and the use of commercial off-the-shelf components to drive down costs and increase launch frequency. RFA has also been a major beneficiary of public support, securing significant contracts from ESA‘s Boost! programme and the German government.

Website: www.rfa.space

Launch Vehicle: RFA ONE

The RFA ONE is a three-stage launch vehicle that stands out for its use of a highly efficient propulsion system. The rocket is 30 meters tall and uses a cluster of nine “Helix” engines on its first stage. These engines are notable for their use of a staged-combustion cycle, a more complex and efficient design than the gas-generator cycle engines used by many competitors. This technology, which burns an environmentally friendlier version of kerosene and liquid oxygen, promises higher performance.

A key feature of the RFA ONE system is its third stage, an orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) named “Redshift.” This stage acts as a space tug, capable of providing precise, last-mile delivery for satellites to a wide range of orbits, from LEO to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) and beyond. The RFA ONE is designed to deliver up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km SSO. The company is also designing the vehicle with future first-stage recovery and reuse in mind.

RFA is in an advanced stage of development. The company has successfully completed full-duration hot-fire tests of its upper stage and has begun the critical test campaign for its nine-engine first stage at SaxaVord Spaceport. While its schedule was previously delayed by a setback during a 2023 static-fire test, the company is now progressing steadily toward its inaugural launch.

HyImpulse

HyImpulse Technologies was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) renowned Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen. Based in Neuenstadt am Kocher, the company’s core technological innovation is its focus on hybrid rocket propulsion. This approach combines the advantages of both solid and liquid rockets by using a safe, inert solid fuel—paraffin, which is essentially candle wax—and a liquid oxidizer, in this case, liquid oxygen. HyImpulse promotes this technology as being significantly safer to handle, more environmentally friendly, and up to 40 percent more cost-effective to build compared to conventional liquid-fueled rocket engines.

A major milestone for the company came on May 3, 2024, with the successful launch of its SR75 suborbital sounding rocket from a test range in Australia. This flight validated the company’s core hybrid engine technology in a real-world environment, providing crucial data and flight heritage for the development of its orbital launcher.

Website: hyimpulse.de

Launch Vehicle: SL1 (Small Launcher 1)

The SL1 is HyImpulse’s three-stage orbital launch vehicle, designed to transport small satellites into space. The 32-meter-tall rocket leverages the company’s unique hybrid propulsion technology across all of its stages. The first stage is powered by a cluster of eight 75-kilonewton (kN) hybrid motors, the second stage uses four of the same 75 kN motors, and the third stage is equipped with four smaller 25 kN motors. This modular use of a common engine design is intended to streamline manufacturing and testing. The SL1 is being developed to carry a payload of up to 600 kg to Low Earth Orbit. The vehicle is currently in development, with an inaugural launch planned for 2026.

United Kingdom’s Ambitions

The United Kingdom is pursuing a comprehensive national space strategy that extends beyond simply building rockets. Supported by organizations like the UK Space Agency, the goal is to create a complete, end-to-end sovereign launch ecosystem. This ambitious plan involves not only fostering a new generation of private launch companies but also developing the necessary ground infrastructure, including multiple spaceports on British soil. Sites like SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands and the Sutherland Space Hub are central to this vision. The overarching objective is to give the UK the domestic capability to design, build, launch, and operate its satellites entirely from its own territory, a key component of its future economic and security strategy.

Orbex

Founded in 2015, Orbex is a UK-based orbital launch services company with significant operations in Denmark. The company has placed a strong emphasis on developing what it describes as one of the world’s most advanced and environmentally friendly micro-launch vehicles. This commitment is reflected in its choice of renewable fuel and its lightweight vehicle design. Orbex is also deeply integrated into the UK’s spaceport development, having taken on a management role at the Sutherland spaceport, which is planned to be its primary launch site.

Website: orbex.space

Launch Vehicle: Prime

The Orbex Prime is a two-stage micro-launch vehicle engineered for the dedicated launch of small satellites. Standing 19 meters tall, the rocket incorporates several innovative technologies aimed at efficiency and sustainability. Its engines, which are produced using one of the world’s largest industrial 3D printers, are powered by a renewable biofuel called bioLPG and liquid oxygen. The vehicle’s structure makes extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber and other advanced composite materials to reduce its overall mass. The Orbex Prime is designed to deliver a payload of up to 180 kg into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The company is currently in the advanced stages of development and is preparing for its inaugural launch from the SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands.

Skyrora

Skyrora is a private space company founded in 2017 with its headquarters in Glasgow and its primary manufacturing facility in Cumbernauld, Scotland. The company is developing a comprehensive family of launch vehicles, starting with a series of suborbital sounding rockets—the Skylark Nano, Micro, and L—which serve as technology demonstrators for its main orbital-class vehicle, the Skyrora XL. In addition to its launchers, Skyrora is also developing a “Space Tug,” a maneuverable upper stage designed to provide in-space logistics services, such as deploying multiple satellites into different orbits from a single launch or performing debris removal missions.

Website: skyrora.com

Launch Vehicle: Skyrora XL

The Skyrora XL is a three-stage, light-class launch vehicle designed to provide dedicated access to space for the small satellite market. The vehicle is 22.7 meters tall and has a diameter of 2.2 meters. It uses a combination of High-Test Peroxide (HTP) and kerosene as its propellants, a choice that offers good performance and is storable at ambient temperatures. The first stage is powered by a cluster of nine “Skyforce” engines, while the second stage uses a single, vacuum-optimized Skyforce engine. The third stage is equipped with a smaller, re-ignitable “LEO” engine to provide final orbital insertion. The Skyrora XL is designed to lift a payload of up to 315 kg to Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The company is currently in the development and testing phase, having conducted numerous engine tests and formally submitted its application to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a launch operator license, a key regulatory step toward commencing orbital launches from the UK.

Innovators Across the Continent

Beyond the hubs in Germany and the UK, innovative launch companies are emerging in other European nations, each bringing unique technologies and strategies to the market. These firms in Spain and France are further diversifying the continent’s commercial space capabilities.

PLD Space (Spain)

Founded in 2011, PLD Space is one of Europe’s pioneering NewSpace companies. Based in Elche, Spain, the company has been methodically developing a family of partially reusable launch vehicles designed to serve the small satellite market. Its long-term vision is to become a global space transportation provider, eventually supporting cargo and human missions.

A significant achievement that sets PLD Space apart from many of its European competitors is its demonstrated flight heritage. On October 7, 2023, the company successfully launched its suborbital demonstrator rocket, the Miura 1. This flight, which made Miura 1 the first private European rocket to reach space, was a critical de-risking step, allowing the company to test and validate a large portion of the technologies—including propulsion, avionics, and recovery systems—that are essential for its larger orbital vehicle. This successful test flight provides invaluable real-world data and a major confidence boost for the development of its orbital launcher.

Website: www.pldspace.com

Launch Vehicle: Miura 5

The Miura 5 is PLD Space’s two-stage orbital launch vehicle. A key feature of its design is the reusability of its first stage, which is engineered to be recovered from the ocean after splashdown and refurbished for subsequent flights. The rocket stands approximately 35.7 meters tall and is powered by the company’s in-house designed TEPREL-C engines, which burn a sustainable bio-kerosene and liquid oxygen. The first stage is equipped with five of these engines, while the second stage has a single vacuum-optimized version. The Miura 5 is designed to carry a payload of 540 kg to a 500 km SSO, or up to 1,080 kg to an equatorial LEO. The vehicle is currently in development, with its maiden flight planned for 2026 from the Guiana Space Centre.

Latitude (France)

Latitude, formerly known as Venture Orbital Systems, is a French launch start-up founded in 2019. Based in Reims, the company is developing a light launch vehicle to provide dedicated and responsive access to space for the burgeoning micro and nano-satellite market. Latitude plans to leverage France’s deep industrial and aerospace heritage to build a competitive European launch solution.

Website: www.latitude.eu

Launch Vehicle: Zephyr

The Zephyr is a two-stage light launch vehicle standing 19 meters tall. It is powered by the company’s proprietary “Navier” engines, which are 3D-printed and burn a conventional combination of RP-1 (kerosene) and liquid oxygen. The first stage features a cluster of seven sea-level Navier engines, and the second stage is equipped with a single vacuum-optimized version. The Zephyr is designed to deliver payloads of up to 200 kg to Low Earth Orbit and 80 kg to Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The company is developing the vehicle with a first commercial launch planned for 2026, with planned operations from launch sites including SaxaVord in the UK and Kourou in French Guiana.

HyPrSpace (France)

HyPrSpace, an acronym for Hybrid Propulsion for Space, is a French aerospace start-up founded in 2019 and based in the Bordeaux region. The company is focused on developing a new generation of launch vehicles powered by an innovative hybrid rocket engine. Backed by the French space agency (CNES) and the defense procurement agency (DGA), HyPrSpace plans to provide a cost-effective, responsive, and sovereign launch capability for Europe.

Website: hypr-space.com

Launch Vehicle: Orbital Baguette-1 (OB-1)

HyPrSpace is developing the Orbital Baguette-1 (OB-1), a two-stage microlauncher designed to deliver payloads of up to 250 kg into low Earth orbit. The company’s core innovation lies in its patented hybrid propulsion technology, which combines a solid fuel with a liquid oxidizer. The engine is designed to run without a turbopump—one of the most complex and expensive components of a traditional liquid rocket engine—a design choice the company clplans can reduce the cost of the launcher by 40%. The system uses recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) as its solid fuel and liquid oxygen as the oxidizer, a combination intended to be safer, more cost-effective, and have a lower environmental footprint.

The development path for the OB-1 includes a suborbital, single-stage demonstrator vehicle named Baguette One. This smaller rocket, standing approximately 10 meters tall, is designed to validate the core propulsion technology and is scheduled for an inaugural flight in 2026 from a DGA missile testing site in France. The full orbital OB-1 is planned to debut in 2027. HyPrSpace has successfully conducted hot-fire tests of its “Terminator” engine demonstrator and completed the Preliminary Design Reviews for both the suborbital and orbital versions of its launcher.

MaiaSpace (France)

MaiaSpace represents a fascinating strategic maneuver within the European launch industry. Founded in 2021, it is a fully-owned subsidiary of ArianeGroup. The company was created to operate with the agility and focus of a start-up while being able to draw upon the immense technical expertise, resources, and heritage of its parent company. Its objective is to develop a small, reusable, and eco-responsible launch vehicle to compete directly in the mini-launcher market.

This “incumbent’s skunkworks” approach allows ArianeGroup to explore disruptive technologies like reusability and new propellants without altering the established industrial processes of its flagship Ariane 6 program. It is a way for the legacy industry to embrace the NewSpace model, fostering innovation in a separate, dedicated entity that can move quickly to address emerging market segments. MaiaSpace is effectively ArianeGroup’s answer to the new wave of private challengers.

Website: www.maia-space.com

Launch Vehicle: Maia

The Maia is a two-stage mini-launcher that is being designed from the outset for reusability. Standing 50 meters tall, it is a significantly larger vehicle than most other European microlaunchers. It will be powered by the next-generation Prometheus engine, a project also under development by ArianeGroup, which uses liquid bio-methane and liquid oxygen as propellants. The rocket will be offered in two versions: a fully reusable version capable of lifting 500 kg to SSO, and a more powerful expendable version that can deliver 1,500 kg to the same orbit. This dual-configuration strategy allows the company to target two distinct market segments with a single core vehicle design. MaiaSpace is developing the vehicle with the goal of beginning commercial operations in 2026 from the Guiana Space Centre.

Summary

The European commercial launch sector is in a state of and dynamic transformation. The market is no longer a monolith dominated by a single government-backed provider but is now a complex ecosystem characterized by the interplay between established industrial giants and a diverse field of ambitious private challengers. The incumbents, Arianespace and Avio, are not standing still; they are actively adapting with modernized, more cost-effective launchers like Ariane 6 and Vega-C. Their strategy is one of evolution, leveraging decades of flight heritage and deep industrial capacity to meet the demands of their traditional markets while lowering costs.

In parallel, a new generation of start-ups is driving a revolution from the ground up. Companies across Germany, the UK, Spain, and France are pioneering innovations in reusable technology, advanced additive manufacturing, and novel propulsion systems. This has ignited a fierce “race to orbit,” a competition to be the first to provide consistent, reliable, and commercially viable launch services for the small satellite market. While companies like PLD Space and Isar Aerospace have achieved significant flight-test milestones, the race to establish regular, operational launch services is still very much open. The coming years will be defined by the critical transition from development and testing to proven, frequent, and affordable operations.

Underpinning this entire transformation is a foundational model of public-private partnership. The strategic and financial support from the European Space Agency and national governments has been an indispensable catalyst. Funding mechanisms like ESA’s Boost! programme are not just providing capital; they are validating the technologies and business plans of these emerging companies, de-risking private investment and accelerating the development of the entire sector. This symbiotic relationship between public ambition and private innovation is the cornerstone of Europe’s strategy to build a more diverse, resilient, and sovereign launch capability for the 21st century. The path forward will likely involve consolidation, as not all contenders will succeed, but the ultimate result will be a stronger and more competitive European position in the global space economy.