Why Europe Can’t Copy-Paste SpaceX… and Shouldn’t Try To
Reusability Isn’t a Goal, It’s a Strategy, and Europe Needs One
In this week’s issue, we’re kicking off with a hard truth: Europe doesn’t just need a reusable rocket, it needs a reason for it. In “The Missing Rocket,” Emma Gatti and Andrea D’Ottavio lay out a compelling case for why mimicking SpaceX’s reusability model may be the wrong move for the European space sector. Spoiler: it’s not about technology, it’s about strategy. Europe doesn’t have the same commercial engine (read: Starlink) or launch volume to justify the reuse revolution on SpaceX’s scale. So instead of chasing Elon’s tailpipes, the paper argues for a homegrown playbook, one that leans into mission diversity, green launch tech, and orbital services that match Europe’s strengths and goals.
Beyond that, this issue brings you the next wave of orbital innovation: from autonomous robotic inspections and AI-powered collision avoidance, to the first-ever U.S. military satellite refueling mission and Starlink’s updated demisability strategy. There’s also fresh thinking around in-space docking, a new push for global coordination from WSSA, and a sobering reminder from Curious Droid about the orbital chaos we’re hurtling toward. Whether it’s smarter regulation, cleaner launches, or building tech that serves a real economic vision, one thing is clear: it’s time to stop playing catch-up and start playing for keeps.
Let’s dive in.
In This Issue
The Missing Rocket: An Economic and Engineering Analysis of the Reusability Dilemma in the European Space Sector
TITAN robotic arm from PIAP Space aims to automate in-orbit inspection
GomSpace and Neuraspace partner to advance satellite collision avoidance
Startups to demonstrate new spacecraft docking technique
Intelsat Completes Satellite Life-Extension Mission, Makes Space History
Astroscale, Orbit Fab Pair to Gas Up DoD
Europe’s space ambitions are caught in a tricky crossroads, and Emma Gatti and Andrea D’Ottavio deliver a sharp reality check for Europe’s space sector in their Intereconomics deep-dive, “The Missing Rocket.” At first glance, the narrative feels familiar: SpaceX dominates headlines with reusability, frequent launches, and booming Starlink revenues, while Europe’s Ariane 6 program struggles with delays and no clear path to reusability. But the real story is more complex. The authors argue that Europe’s pursuit of the same model may be misguided. SpaceX didn’t just build reusable rockets; it built an entire vertically integrated ecosystem with Starlink as a captive customer, providing frequent launches and revenue to justify the reuse model. Europe, on the other hand, lacks both the high-volume demand and commercial incentives to make reusability economically viable on the same scale.
Instead of imitating the SpaceX playbook, Gatti and D’Ottavio argue that Europe needs a strategy tailored to its own strengths and realities. That means recognizing that reusability isn’t inherently better, it’s only better when the economics and logistics support it. For Europe, that could mean doubling down on mission diversity, developing scalable green launch systems, and supporting emerging launch startups that don’t require mega-constellations to stay afloat. It also means creating new forms of demand, through in-orbit servicing, space sustainability missions, or European-driven satellite constellations with long-term goals in mind.
At its core, the paper makes a powerful case: Europe doesn’t have a rocket problem, it has a vision problem. Without a clear, coordinated strategy that ties technological development to actual economic use cases, the continent risks falling further behind, not because it can’t build reusable rockets, but because it doesn’t yet know what to do with them. The way forward isn’t to chase SpaceX, it’s to leapfrog with a smarter, more sustainable roadmap that plays to Europe’s industrial strengths and long-term goals. In other words, before building the rocket, Europe needs to define the mission.
TITAN robotic arm from PIAP Space aims to automate in-orbit inspection
PIAP Space is making waves with its new TITAN robotic arm, a game-changer designed to automate in-orbit satellite inspections. Traditionally, checking on satellites has been a risky and expensive endeavor, often requiring human intervention. TITAN aims to change that by providing a reliable, autonomous solution that can perform detailed inspections without the need for astronauts. This innovation not only enhances the safety of space operations but also significantly reduces costs associated with satellite maintenance.
The development of TITAN is a significant step toward more sustainable and efficient space operations. By enabling regular, automated inspections, TITAN helps extend the lifespan of satellites and ensures they operate at optimal performance. This advancement aligns with the growing need for responsible space stewardship, as the number of satellites in orbit continues to rise.
GomSpace and Neuraspace partner to advance satellite collision avoidance
Satellite safety just got smarter. GomSpace and Neuraspace are teaming up to tackle one of the biggest challenges in orbit today: avoiding collisions in an increasingly crowded sky. Their plan? Fuse Neuraspace’s AI-powered space traffic management tools directly into GomSpace’s HOOP (Hands-Off Operations Platform). That means autonomous satellite operations from launch to retirement, think of it as cruise control for constellations. With AI at the wheel, operators can expect fewer manual interventions, faster decision-making, and better protection against orbital close calls.
This partnership is a bold step toward a future where satellite fleets can self-manage with minimal human oversight. By combining Neuraspace’s real-time collision avoidance smarts with GomSpace’s autonomous operations backbone, the duo is laying the groundwork for safer, more efficient space missions. It’s not just about avoiding crashes, it’s about scaling up the space economy without scaling up the risk.
Startups to demonstrate new spacecraft docking technique
Katalyst Space and LMO are teaming up to revolutionize spacecraft docking with their innovative "assisted rendezvous and proximity operations" technique. Unlike traditional methods where servicing spacecraft manage all aspects of docking, this approach employs an Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) to position the servicing satellite closer to its target, simplifying operations and potentially reducing costs. The OTV carries both a deployable payload (a free-flying satellite capturing close-range images) and a hosted payload that collects range data from a different vantage point. LMO's machine learning software then analyzes data from both sources to enable precise docking maneuvers.
This technique has garnered attention from U.S. Space Command and AFWERX, with Katalyst securing a $1.9 million contract to develop the architecture. The companies plan to demonstrate this technology in geostationary orbit by 2026, marking a significant step forward in in-space servicing capabilities.
Intelsat Completes Satellite Life-Extension Mission, Makes Space History
Intelsat has made space history by successfully completing the first-ever satellite life-extension mission. Utilizing Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1), Intelsat extended the operational life of its IS-901 satellite by five years. MEV-1 docked with IS-901 in February 2020, nearly 19 years after the satellite's initial launch, and provided propulsion support to maintain its geostationary position. After completing its mission, MEV-1 safely detached and moved IS-901 to a graveyard orbit, concluding nearly 24 years of service.
This groundbreaking achievement demonstrates the viability of in-orbit satellite servicing, offering a cost-effective alternative to launching replacement satellites. Following this success, Intelsat partnered with Northrop Grumman on a second mission in 2021, using MEV-2 to extend the life of Intelsat 10-02, which remains operational today. These missions pave the way for future advancements in satellite servicing, contributing to more sustainable and efficient space operations.
Astroscale, Orbit Fab Pair to Gas Up DoD
Astroscale and Orbit Fab are also set to make history with the first-ever in-orbit refueling of a U.S. military satellite. Scheduled for mid-2026, this mission will see Astroscale's APS-R spacecraft rendezvous with the Space Force's Tetra-5 satellite in geostationary orbit, transferring approximately 66 pounds of hydrazine fuel using Orbit Fab's RAFTI refueling interface. After the initial refueling, APS-R will conduct a leak check using its onboard hyperspectral camera, then proceed to Orbit Fab's fuel depot to replenish its own fuel before servicing another satellite. This operation marks a significant milestone in extending satellite lifespans and enhancing orbital maneuverability.
The mission builds upon years of development and successful demonstrations by both companies. Astroscale's 2021 ELSA-d mission showcased its capability to approach and capture client satellites, while Orbit Fab's RAFTI interface achieved flight qualification last year, leading to multiple orders from the Department of Defense. This collaboration not only strengthens the U.S. military's space logistics but also paves the way for commercial refueling services, as APS-R will be available to service other compatible satellites during its two- to three-year mission lifespan. As global powers like China advance their on-orbit sustainment capabilities, this mission underscores the importance of dynamic and resilient space operations.
Starlink’s Approach to Satellite Demisability
Starkink recently updated their demisability approach which combines controlled, propulsive deorbiting with targeted atmospheric reentry over open ocean, drastically reducing the risk of debris surviving reentry. Even with legacy hardware like the V1 satellites, Starlink has proactively begun large-scale deorbiting, minimizing orbital clutter and ensuring continuous maneuverability during descent. The company’s goal is to limit any surviving satellite fragments to less than 3 Joules of impact energy, five times lower than current regulatory thresholds. After an unexpected reentry fragment from the G9-3 mission, Starlink didn’t just shrug it off, they overhauled their demise analysis models, ran new physical tests, and are now publicly sharing their updated tools to help others avoid the same pitfall. With its latest V2 Mini satellites, SpaceX has built in better control and reentry reliability, proving that aggressive sustainability targets can scale, even for mega-constellations.
Interesting Posts & Videos
In a recent interview with Sustainable Space Economy, Bocar Ba, Board Advisor at the World Space Sustainability Association (WSSA), makes a compelling case for why space needs its own global watchdog. As satellite launches surge and the space economy intertwines with everything from telecom to climate science, Ba argues that industry fragmentation and a lack of coordination threaten to stall progress and sustainability. That’s where the WSSA steps in. Founded in the UAE, the nonprofit aims to unite players across the space ecosystem (operators, manufacturers, regulators, and researchers) to create smart, inclusive frameworks for everything from debris mitigation to digital access. With big plans for 2025, including setting baseline standards and expanding collaboration across regions, Ba sees the WSSA as a rallying point for those ready to shape a sustainable space economy that actually delivers on its promise.
In a gripping deep dive, a recent Curious Droid’s Youtube video charts the chaotic past, present, and perilous future of our orbital environment. From the lonely days of Sputnik 1 to today's rapidly growing mega-constellations like Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper, Earth’s orbits have rapidly gone from empty to overcrowded. With tens of thousands of satellites expected in the next decade, the risks of collisions and Kessler syndrome are mounting. Debris from defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and even anti-satellite tests now threatens to turn low Earth orbit into an unpredictable war zone. Even with safeguards like autonomous collision avoidance and orbital decay strategies, the sheer volume of objects in space, and the profit-driven race to dominate it, may push us past the point of no return. As video warns, the warning signs are clear, and much like climate change, if we wait until things start going wrong, it could be far too late.
Recep Suluker just unveiled the next-gen evolution of his open-source satellite tracking toolkit. OrbitGuard AI, is a smart monitoring agent that detects potential collisions, visualizes orbits in 2D and 3D, and predicts satellite visibility in real time, all through a slick interface. Built on live data from Space-Track.org, this tool is perfect for anyone deep into LEO tracking or just obsessed with orbital intelligence. It's open-source and live on GitHub, go take a look!
Mani Thiru pulls no punches in a recent LinkedIn post, spotlighting the European Space Agency’s 2025 Space Environment Report and its stark message: space is getting dangerously crowded. While we’ve made strides in burning up satellites on reentry, we’re still surrounded by a growing swarm of space junk, over 130 million pieces under 1 cm, flying at 17,000 mph, and that’s not even counting the tens of thousands of larger objects already being tracked. Simply avoiding new debris isn’t enough anymore, we need to actively clean up our orbital backyard, or risk turning low Earth orbit into a hazardous dead zone of our own making.
Conferences & Webinars
Next Steps in Sustainable Space: In-orbit Insurance and Innovation - May 21-22 - Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
The 7th Summit for Space Sustainability - October 22-23, 2025
Centre de Conférences Pierre Mendès France, Paris
Thanks for reading.
Until next time!