Key Points
- The IAC in Milan highlights rising geopolitical tensions in space, with the U.S. and China showcasing advancements.
- NASA’s Artemis moon program and the push for private-sector collaboration are central to discussions.
- Europe faces competition from SpaceX, driving its space industry to reconsider strategies.
- NASA is focused on replacing the ISS with privately built space stations, competing with China’s Tiangong.
The world’s top space agencies are convening in Milan for the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) amid increasing geopolitical tensions and competition in space. While the U.S. and China are set to showcase their advancements, Russia’s absence—due to its isolation following the 2022 Ukraine invasion—underscores the shifting dynamics of global space cooperation.
The IAC, founded in 1950, has traditionally been a venue for collaboration between spacefaring nations, even during tense geopolitical periods. This year’s event is expected to focus heavily on lunar exploration and sovereign space access, especially with NASA’s Artemis moon program leading the charge. Despite geopolitical tensions, almost all 77 member nations of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), which organizes the event, are in attendance.
The conference is particularly timely for Europe, where discussions are heating up around improving its independent access to space. Italy, a major contributor to the European Space Agency (ESA), is in the process of passing its first legislative framework for the space industry. Italy’s Industry Minister Adolfo Urso emphasized the need for rules to guide sustainable and strategic use of space resources. The country has pledged €7.3 billion towards national and European space projects by 2026.
One of Europe’s key challenges is the dominance of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, whose Falcon 9 rocket and Starlink satellite network have reshaped global space access. SpaceX is now the largest satellite operator globally, pressuring European satellite manufacturers like Leonardo, Thales, and Airbus to reconsider their strategies. Industry insiders suggest these companies are in talks to combine satellite manufacturing activities, though much depends on the stance of the European Commission, which previously blocked similar moves.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is expected to rally support for NASA’s efforts to replace the International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled for retirement in 2030. The ISS has long been a symbol of U.S.-Russian cooperation, but NASA is now investing billions in private partnerships to maintain its presence in low-Earth orbit and compete with China’s Tiangong space station.
As the U.S. and China race to return humans to the moon, both nations are actively courting partner countries and collaborating with private companies. This intensifying competition is shaping the space goals of smaller agencies and fostering an increasingly complex global space landscape.
