Abstract
This article analyzes the evolving landscape of European space strategy amidst the "New Space" era and shifting geopolitical realities. Historically, Europe has relied heavily on international partners for space infrastructure and launch services. However, recent disruptions—most notably the conflict in Ukraine and the resulting termination of cooperation with Russia—have exposed critical vulnerabilities in Europe's strategic independence and its orbital launch capacity.
In response, major European powers are prioritizing space as a formal operational domain. France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have each established dedicated Space Commands and national strategies tailored to their specific needs: France continues to lead in military space integration, Germany focuses on a civilian-military dual-use model, and the UK emphasizes commercial synergy. Alongside these national efforts, NATO also introduced its Commercial Space Strategy in 2025, aiming to enhance collective resilience and interoperability by leveraging private-sector innovation.
Technological autonomy is primarily being pursued through flagship projects coordinated by the EU and the European Space Agency (ESA). Key initiatives include the IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) constellation—designed as a secure, sovereign alternative to commercial systems like Starlink—and the European Resilience from Space (ERS) program. These initiatives aim to provide independent, high-resolution Earth observation and secure communications by the 2030s, reducing reliance on non-European providers.
Europe’s shift toward "strategic autonomy" is driven by the urgent need for resilience against geopolitical volatility. For countries like Taiwan, the European model—characterized by multi-national collaboration, strategic resource prioritization, and the integration of commercial technology—offers a valuable framework for developing independent space capabilities and fostering international defense partnerships.