Space exploration is entering an exciting, but precarious, new phase. Private robotic missions to the Moon, cheaper heavy-lift launchers, and even the first commercial space station are all on the horizon. As the transatlantic alliance is tested in unprecedented ways, the United States and European allies must ask themselves how they can unite to work better together in space. The answer will be shaped by how they tackle security, safety, sustainability, investment, and scientific cooperation in the space domain.
Security, Sustainability, and Strategy
Russia's war on Ukraine has exposed the West's reliance on private space assets and services from single suppliers: SpaceX's satellite communications system Starlink has been a lifeline (for now), but it is solely operated by SpaceX in the United States. This raises urgent questions about dependency on private actors in one nation for secure communications and space situational awareness. The European Union's proposed space law offers a chance to align policies across the bloc, and NATO must take on a stronger role in space security. Without coordinated action, the West risks ceding control over critical capabilities to those who do not share the same priorities with no alternative joint services that can operate at the same scale.
There is a clear opportunity for the United States and European Union to unite on space sustainability.
There is a clear opportunity for the United States and European Union to unite on space sustainability. Last year saw near-misses, collisions, and uncontrolled re-entries, including a Chinese satellite that burned up over the United States. These events highlight the fragility of space infrastructure. Transatlantic partners must push for a global space traffic management organization and enforce strict zero debris policies, the provision of which is also under threat and made worse with increasing debris fall incidents.
Nowhere is transatlantic space identity more at stake than in the race to the Moon. China's steady progress—backed by its new space station, Tiangong—signals a strategic shift. Meanwhile, delays to NASA's Artemis program, cancelled European missions, and rising tensions with China and Russia highlight the need for closer U.S.-Europe collaboration. Without it, rival powers will set the rules of lunar exploration. By pooling resources, aligning missions, and presenting a united front, the United States and Europe can ensure space remains a domain of cooperation, not conflict. If they get the Moon right, Mars will follow.
Investment and Cooperation
The United States and Europe have much to learn from one another. The United States has excelled in public-private partnerships, spurring innovation through NASA's collaborations with SpaceX and Blue Origin. Europe's launch market, however, remains dominated by a few giants such as Ariane Group, limiting competition. The European Launcher Challenge, set to launch this year, aims to diversify the market and foster smaller players. Adopting a more competitive model would strengthen Europe's space industry.
Investment in space science and industry must also be a priority. The United States remains the world's dominant space power, with Europe lagging behind. Coordinated funding between transatlantic partners would boost private investment and support startups with commercial interests in space. At the same time, Europe must commit to stronger government investment in space defense to remain a competitive partner. A stronger European space sector benefits the entire alliance, and deeper collaboration could turn transatlantic space efforts into a global powerhouse of innovation.
If the United States and Europe are serious about keeping space peaceful and progressing on exploration, they must act now to deepen their ties.
Strengthening collaboration through programs such as Galileo, the U.S. Space Force, upcoming science missions, and NATO's Space Center of Excellence would bolster the transatlantic alliance at a crucial moment. If the United States and Europe are serious about keeping space peaceful and progressing on exploration, they must act now to deepen their ties.
Ahead, Together
The stakes in 2025 could not be higher. The decisions made this year will determine whether the transatlantic partnership leads the next era of space exploration or falls behind amid mounting geopolitical competition. By embracing collaboration, security, sustainability, and investment, the United States, Europe, and their allies can not only navigate the challenges ahead but also shape the future of space itself.
