The quickest way to get to space from Europe is to veer left at the UK, fly across the pond, and hitch a ride on a US-built rocket. ESA wants to change that.

The space agency laid out its long-term vision for the region’s space sector in its Strategy 2040 document.

After its first successful demonstration, Exotrail is buying up space on launchers.

Canada is increasingly focused on building up its sovereign defense capabilities to monitor and defend its northern front.

Two US companies have proved that industry can land on the Moon. Now, startups are tackling the next challenge: keeping those missions running for years instead of weeks. 

“People have business models and revenues they need to generate,” Kim said, adding that he’s been getting “a lot of inquiries” from potential commercial customers after Blue Ghost’s flight. “They can depend on Firefly to take a pragmatic approach and stick the landing and get multiple days of surface operations.” 

“There is not a global competition yet for Mars, so we need to take the right thing at the right time,” Dumbacher said. “The Moon first, then Mars.”

The sci fi dreams—and economic boom—that would be fulfilled by establishing a long-term lunar presence all hinge on one thing: the ability to locate, extract, and process water ice on the Moon’s surface.