Science & Tech · Space · 5 hrs ago
Europe faces a shortage of rockets for planned satellite launches
SpaceX, the US company founded by Elon Musk, has stopped selling launches on its Falcon 9 rocket for dates after 2028.
That leaves European companies and institutions looking for other ways to put satellites into orbit.
Europe plans to launch hundreds of satellites by 2030, including for its IRIS² communications network, Germany’s military and the Galileo and Copernicus systems.
The planned launches may exceed available rocket capacity, especially if many are scheduled for 2029.
Ariane 6, alongside the smaller Italian Vega-C, is currently a main European option, and Europe needs to increase Ariane 6 production and hopes new launch vehicles will emerge.
Delays could hold up IRIS² and Galileo upgrades.
If Europe cannot launch enough satellites itself, it may have to rely longer on US services such as Starlink.
Europe may lack enough rockets to launch its planned satellites by 2029 and 2030.
SpaceX has stopped selling Falcon 9 launches for dates beyond 2028.
European launch capacity depends on increasing Ariane 6 production and the emergence of new launch vehicles.
Planned missions include the IRIS² constellation, Germany’s military constellation, and additional Galileo and Copernicus satellites.
A shortage could delay European satellite programmes and prolong reliance on US services such as Starlink.
- Who
- European companies and institutions need launch capacity; SpaceX has stopped selling Falcon 9 launches beyond 2028.
- What
- Europe faces a potential shortage of rockets for its planned satellite launches.
- When
- The concern has arisen since summer 2026, with launch needs expected to increase by 2030.
- Where
- Europe.
- Why
- SpaceX is no longer offering Falcon 9 launches beyond 2028, while European satellite launch needs are expected to grow.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The commercial life of SpaceX’s Starship began.
Christophe Bruneau said that if planned launches all took place simultaneously in 2029, Europe would not have enough capacity.
SpaceX stopped selling Falcon 9 launches.
European satellite launch needs are expected to rise sharply.
- IRIS²
- 330 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit
- German military constellation
- Initially over 100 satellites
- Galileo
- 12 new satellites
- Copernicus
- Six new satellites
- European launch vehicles
- Ariane 6 and the smaller Italian Vega-C
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What people are saying
If all these launches take place simultaneously in 2029, we will not have enough capacity