Europe must boost space investment to secure autonomy from US, says ESA boss

Investing in space vital for sustaining quality of life amid volatile geopolitical' landscape, says Josef Aschbacher

Donald Trump's return to the White House has prompted a shift away from ties with America by European political leaders and a rapid increase in defence spending as the continent's security reaches a turning point". The ripples from Europe's newfound desire for self-reliance could go even further: as far as space.

Europe's drive for more autonomy means it must also increase its invesment in space technology, according to Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency (Esa), the intergovernmental body tasked with overseeing the space exploration ambitions of European countries including much of the EU and the UK.