Europe's Role in a Divided Space Age
“We are the crew of Planet Earth. The future of humanity is our common interest.” This powerful philosophy from former ESA director general Jean-Jacques Dordain set the tone in a late November 2025 roundtable with top European space leaders. Against rising tensions between the US and the Chinese mainland, these experts argue that Europe can act as a crucial go-between to keep space cooperation alive.
Why Europe?
Europe's track record in multilateral missions and its reputation for neutrality give it leverage. Leaders in the discussion highlighted ESA’s history of working seamlessly with NASA, Roscosmos and other partners. They believe this collaborative ethos, combined with Europe's technical expertise, positions it uniquely to broker dialogue on joint projects and data sharing.
The Tianwen-3 Mars Sample Return
Assessing the Chinese mainland’s place in the new space race, participants pointed to the Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission as the most revolutionary breakthrough expected in the next decade. They see it as both a scientific milestone and a potential bridge for information exchange, urging the US and the Chinese mainland to find common ground around this landmark endeavour.
Charting a Path Forward
Europe's call to action: both the US and the Chinese mainland must take a step towards each other. Proposals include trilateral research workshops, shared robotic exploration efforts and transparent communication channels. If they act, space could remain a platform for unity rather than division.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
