Space policy, that sounds like distant future. But space travel is currently undergoing rapid change. And we must prepare for this upheaval. We have to prepare ourselves for new private sector players to conquer space. We must prepare ourselves for the fact that powerful states such as the USA or China have set in motion a new militarization of space by founding space forces. In view of this Space Race 2.0, I advocate for a new international set of rules and a new European space strategy.
The space year 2022 marks a milestone in space history. Just before Christmas, it’s time to take a look back. Almost exactly one year ago, we experienced a very special launch in Kourou: after nearly 30 years of development, the James Webb telescope flew into the sky on an Ariane 5. Six months later, the first images…
We have reached an agreement for the European Union’s new satellite constellation. The project, previously known as the „Secure Connectivity Programme“, is now called IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnection and Security by Satellites). In November, the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council met for the so-called trilogue negotiations. We agreed on the final version…
In June, I visited Sierra Space. The company, based in Denver, Colorado, is best known for its Dreamchaser. A space glider that looks a little like a small shuttle and is supposed to take people into space soon. However, the focus of my visit was on a different topic. The company – a spin-off of…
The debate on the planned European megaconstellation (“Secure Connectivity“) is gaining momentum. In June, the responsible rapporteur of the European Parliament, Christophe Grudler (Renew), presented his position in the Industry Committee. As shadow rapporteur for The Greens/EFA, I was now able to submit my amendments. I am mainly concerned with three points. First, I want…
The political challenges in space are huge. We must set the course today for the space of tomorrow. For more peace, security and justice on Earth. Now, I was in the US to help fostering international dialogue for better regulation. A revolution is happening in space. Satellites are getting smaller and smaller, rocket launches cheaper…
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) shows how space technology is driving us forward as a society. In March, I visited the DLR site in Oberpfaffenhofen, Bavaria. A total of 13 scientific facilities and institutes are located on the site near Munich. Around 1,800 employees work there on some of the most exciting German space projects….
I am committed to building a European space economy. Recently, I have visited the German start-up Isar Aerospace near Munich. Their launcher Spectrum is on the way to its first test flight. Satellite technology has become an integral part of our society. It is not only about communication and navigation, but also about industry, research…
The EU Commission presented its plans for a new European mega-constellation. The “Secure Connectivity System” is planned as a multi-orbital constellation. It is intended to simultaneously enable quantum-encrypted communications for government agencies and deliver satellite-based Internet to structurally weak regions. The latter not only in Europe, but also on the African continent. We have to make…
Resource mining on the moon could become a reality in the near future. Now we need to bring forward international legal frameworks. I would like to bring an alternative to the American Artemis Accords into play: the Moon Treaty of 1979. Everyone wants back to the Moon. The USA and Europe, Israel, China, India, Japan…
Spaceflight is currently in the midst of rapid transformation. But for politicians, this important topic unfortunately still sounds far too often like pie in the sky. We Greens/EFA are now the first political group in the European Parliament to present a comprehensive positioning on space policy. It is urgently time to set the course for the…
