OHB Chairman and Eurospace President Marco Fuchs: Space is booming in places, but in Europe, 'it's an industry with problems'

Introduction:

In a recent interview with SpaceNews, OHB Chairman and Eurospace President Marco Fuchs discussed the state of the space industry in Europe. While acknowledging the growth of the sector in some regions, Fuchs expressed concern about the challenges facing the European space industry.

Challenges facing the European space industry:

- Fragmentation: Fuchs noted that the European space industry is fragmented, with many small and medium-sized companies competing for a limited number of contracts. This fragmen- tation makes it difficult for European companies to compete with larger, more established companies from other regions. - Lack of investment: Fuchs also pointed to the lack of investment in the European space industry. He argued that Europe needs to increase its investment in space research and development in order to remain competitive. - Lack of a unified space policy: Fuchs noted that Europe lacks a unified space policy, which makes it difficult to coordinate efforts and prioritize investment. He called for the creation of a more coordinated and strategic approach to space exploration in Europe.

Conclusion:

Despite these challenges, Fuchs expressed optimism about the future of the European space industry. He pointed to the growing number of startups and the increasing interest in space from the private sector. He also highlighted the importance of European collaboration and the need to invest in future technologies. By addressing these challenges, Fuchs believes that Europe can build a strong and competitive space industry.