Member countries should “unite our defense efforts in space” Andrius Kubilius says.
BRUSSELS — European Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius called today for a « European Space Shield » to unite its defense efforts in space.
« I want to set up a dialogue with member states and space commands to look at options towards a European space domain awareness to monitor threats, including military threats » he said in a speechat the 17th European Space Conference.
These moves would be « building blocks towards a European Space Shield to unite our defense efforts in space » he added.
Countries are increasingly competing for dominance in space, with Russia and China in particular teaming up after the Russian invasion of Ukraine for projects such as a joint lunar nuclear plant, but « we cannot leave space to the axis of aggressive authoritarians, » he told attendees.
« Europe must maintain leadership in space, » he said. The EU currently spends around €2 billion a year on space.
Kubilius also sounded a note of caution against Elon Musk and other private entrepreneurs with space ambitions.
« Space entrepreneurs are doing exciting things in space, » the commissioner said, adding that while « structural problems » are holding the EU back, « if we do nothing, we risk stagnation. » He also called for member countries to « buy European. »
The Italian government is currently in talks with Musk’s SpaceX for a €1.5 billion deal to provide encrypted telecommunications services via his Starlink satellite internet provider.
