Emmanuel Macron outlines roadmap for European manned spaceflight

At the International Space Summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron outlined an ambitious roadmap to bolster European space sovereignty and reduce dependence on the United States and Russia. Macron called for Europe to develop its own capacity for manned spaceflights within the next decade, emphasizing that the continent must become a leading global actor in the sector.

The proposed timeline includes three major milestones: the docking of the Nyx cargo capsule with the International Space Station within two years, the landing of the Argonaut lunar module on the Moon within five years, and the launch of the first European manned capsule from Kourou within ten years. Additionally, Macron advocated for a European alliance in 'Direct to Device' satellite communications to ensure global connectivity by 2030.

Beyond technological goals, Macron proposed a new framework for international space governance. He argued that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty is outdated due to the rise of satellite constellations and space debris. He called for an international conference to establish regulations for space traffic, aiming to position Europe as a mediator in a new era of space multilateralism. ESA Director Josef Aschbacher supported the need for increased resources, questioning whether Europe would remain a 'passenger or a pilot' in the evolving space race.