Sovereignty Will Be the Space Buzzword of 2025 — And for Good Reason

In 2025, one word is set to dominate the conversation in the European space industry: sovereignty.

With growing geopolitical instability and rising concerns about dependency on non-European players, Europe is waking up to a new kind of urgency. Space is no longer just about exploration or commercial opportunity—it is about strategy, security, and autonomy. And that is where sovereignty comes in.

Why Launchers Matter

Today’s test flight of Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket is a powerful reminder of why this matters.

The Spectrum rocket lifted off from Norway’s Andøya Space Center in what was supposed to be a historic step toward independent European launch access. Unfortunately, the rocket failed shortly after launch. But here is the key: this was still progress.

Isar’s CEO Daniel Metzler called it a success in many ways: “We had a clean liftoff, 30 seconds of flight and even got to validate our Flight Termination System.” It is a clear demonstration that Europe is pushing forward, even when things do not go perfectly. Space is hard. Progress is iterative. Attempts like this are how we move forward.

More Investment, Not Less

Failures often raise eyebrows. But in this case, they should raise investment.

The European space sector needs sovereign launch systems—rockets that are built, launched, and operated from European soil. And if we want that, we need to support the companies daring to build them. Not just when they succeed, but especially when they fall and get back up again.

ESA Steps In

That is why the European Launcher Challenge, recently launched by the European Space Agency (ESA), is so timely. It is a Europe-wide competition to find the continent’s next big commercial rocket. The goal? To have a new launcher ready by 2028.

Companies have until May 5 to pitch their vision, with ESA committing up to €169 million per launcher project. This is a massive opportunity—and a strong signal that Europe is serious about taking control of its access to space.

A Deliberate Shift

The bigger picture here is not just about rockets. It is about redefining how Europe positions itself in space. We are moving toward a world where sovereign capabilities—launch, manufacturing, data, infrastructure—are no longer optional but essential.

Yes, there will be challenges. Yes, some rockets will fail. However, the direction is clear: more funding, more innovation, and more chances for Europe’s NewSpace sector to lead.

Now is the time to build.