Recent developments underscore the urgency for Europe to strengthen its space capabilities amid growing concerns about reliance on US technology. Two events within a week drew attention to the continent’s vulnerabilities: a disruption of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network, which impacted Ukraine’s air defense and drone strike operations, followed by a warning from Andrew Puzder, the US ambassador to the European Union, about possible “devastating” repercussions if the EU advances plans to prioritize European companies in the allocation of frequency spectrum suitable for satellite-to-device internet communications.

These incidents highlight the strategic risks tied to dependence on American satellite technology. Under former US President Donald Trump, efforts have intensified to shield US companies from regulatory challenges in Europe. Critics argue these moves could further entrench Europe’s technological dependence while intensifying fears that Washington may leverage this dependence as a geopolitical tool. Meanwhile, Puzder’s remarks appear to reinforce calls within the EU to develop autonomous capabilities in critical technologies.

The challenge for Europe is significant, particularly in the realm of low Earth orbit satellites, which provide high-speed internet by operating close to the planet’s surface. SpaceX, under Elon Musk’s leadership, has dominated this sector by rapidly scaling launch operations and dramatically reducing costs through innovation and resource mobilization. In 2025, SpaceX completed 170 launches, compared to only eight by European providers, illustrating the significant gap in both launch capacity and operational efficiency. Consequently, Europe–and by extension Ukraine–remains heavily reliant on US satellite infrastructure.

To close this gap, Europe could leverage its sizable market through guaranteed demand for domestic satellite services and manufacturing. European authorities have begun promoting a “Buy European” approach in strategic sectors, including telecommunications. This strategy aims to stimulate investment and lower costs for European satellite operators. In a related move, four major European telecommunications firms recently announced plans to collaborate on a spectrum bid, aligning with broader efforts to secure dedicated satellite frequencies for European companies.

However, market preferences alone are insufficient. The EU must accelerate satellite production, enhance competition among launch service providers, and coordinate procurement across member states to provide stability and incentivize private investment. Achieving price parity with established international competitors will require sustained and focused public funding over time.

Progress is apparent through several initiatives. The EU’s IRIS² program seeks to establish an independent satellite communications network, while its latest Arctic strategy prioritizes spaceport and launch infrastructure development. Furthermore, funding for EU space programs and the European Space Agency (which includes the United Kingdom) has increased. The key challenge lies in transforming these efforts into a cohesive, competitive European space industry rather than a fragmented collection of national projects and entrenched interests.

While Europe cannot replicate the full scale or reach of the US or Chinese space industries, nor should it aim to exclude foreign competitors completely, developing credible alternatives in domains essential to security and economic resilience remains imperative. The recent Starlink disruption serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved and should accelerate Brussels’ push to expand European capabilities in space technology.