Technology

ESA chief warns of too much dependence on NASA programs

ESA intends to become more independent despite looming NASA cutbacks and significantly expand private investments in European space technologies.

Eulerpool News Aug 12, 2025, 5:17 PM

The European Space Agency ESA faces the challenge of significantly reducing its dependence on US technology.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher described the impending cuts as a "wake-up call." Although NASA remains an important partner, the existing cooperation model is not sustainable for the future. Even with a stable overall budget of 7.7 billion euros, Europe needs to develop more independence to secure its position as a leading spacefaring nation. The Council of Ministers will decide on the readjustment of funding and partnerships in November, with a likely increase in exploration funds.

As the US Congress fights against the cuts, NASA has already discontinued initial programs and reduced jobs. Aschbacher emphasized that the affected technologies are essential for future missions to the Moon or Mars – regardless of US involvement. Meanwhile, ESA is building new collaborations, for example with India, and is promoting private capital: in 2023, according to the European Space Policy Institute, 1.5 billion euros flowed into European space start-ups, more than twice as much as in 2021.

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