Tribune souveraineté spatiale | Les Echos | Pierre-Arnaud Coquelin
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From leader to follower: when Europe stalls out
In the 1990s, France's Ariane program made it a world leader in space launches, with an Ariane 4 market share of over 60%. But in 2025, the contrast is stark: Ariane 6 is struggling to get off the ground, while SpaceX is churning out launches at an industrial pace. This loss of leadership rekindles the debate on European space sovereignty, at a time when trade negotiations between the European Union and the Trump administration have once again shown the extent to which the transatlantic balance of power remains unbalanced.
NewSpace: an opportunity to be seized
The emergence of a NewSpace ecosystem in Europe is reshuffling the deck. Startups such as Aerospace Lab and Latitude are showing that, with targeted funding and an agile approach, it is possible to build a competitive industry. A strong signal that could mark a turning point for a Europe long judged to be cautious in its strategic investments.
"With just a few tens of millions, some startups are building rockets or satellite factories." Pierre-Arnaud Coquelin, CEO and co-founder of Wheere
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What if we adopted an assertive protectionism?
At a time when the United States is imposing strict conditions on foreign companies wishing to enter its space market, the question arises of a more protective European policy. Should we, in turn, condition access to our strategic markets? This article invites us to rethink the rules of the game and defend a pragmatic vision of space sovereignty.
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