"Taking advantage of private launch initiatives already underway within their own borders, several middle and regional powers have approved substantial government funding for commercial startups to help them reach the launch pad. Australia, Canada, Germany, and Spain are among the nations that currently lack the ability to independently put their own satellites into orbit but which are now spending money to establish a domestic launch industry."
"The moves are part of a wider trend among US allies to increase defense spending amid strained relations with the Trump administration. Tariffs, trade wars, and threats to invade the territory of a NATO ally have changed the tune of many foreign leaders. In Europe, there's even talk of fielding a nuclear deterrent independent of the nuclear umbrella provided by the US military."
"Commercial satellite companies will still choose the cheapest, most reliable path to space, of course. This means SpaceX will win the overwhelming majority of commercial launch contracts put up for global competition. But there's a captive market for many satellite projects, especially those with government backing. US government satellites typically launch on US rockets, just as Chinese satellites fly on Chinese rockets."
Several longtime US allies are pursuing sovereign access to space by funding domestic commercial launch capability. Governments in Australia, Canada, Germany, and Spain are channeling substantial public money to local startups to build launch services and put national satellites into orbit. The push is tied to rising defense spending and strained relations with the United States, driven by tariffs, trade disputes, and political tensions. SpaceX remains the dominant commercial launcher globally, but government-backed and captive markets create demand for national or regional launch options. European launch policy remains complex, with preferences for regional rockets but unclear outcomes.
Read at Ars Technica
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