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technology16h ago
European officials stress space autonomy despite lingering dependencies
- European officials press for stronger autonomous space capabilities despite ongoing dependencies on foreign launch providers.
- Officials say geopolitics require Europe to expand investments in space and security-focused programs.
- Italy’s Cosmo-Skymed Second Generation satellites aim for full Italian control, with a third unit delayed for launch on non-European vehicles.
- The third CSG satellite will launch on a Falcon 9, not Vega C, due to Vega C delays and prior launch failures.
- Italy’s third CSG satellite’s launch contract shifts to the fourth unit, slated for early 2027.
- Vega C has not yet launched a CSG satellite; the first CSG satellite flew on a Soyuz when Vega C was still operating in French Guiana.
- Brussels and member states will decide on funding for space programs at the upcoming ministerial conference.
- UK officials warn Europe’s share of the global space economy is shrinking, urging strategic shifts.
- National budgets are rising for strategic space technologies in Italy as part of a broader European push for autonomy.
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