Launchers constitute one of the most tangible elements of a nation’s space activities. This is particularly the case in Europe, where Ariane 5 is a strong symbol of panEuropean identification. For more than thirty years, the successes of the Ariane launcher family epitomised European achievements in space. At the same time, they are the result of technological and scientific integration processes at the European level.

Launchers are strategic enablers: more than a goal in itself, the establishment of launch capabilities is the indispensable precondition for any comprehensive space policy. Thus, access to space has a dual dimension: it is a strategic necessity, as it enables independent decision-making based on space data, but it is also a service of general interest, as it allows the deployment of space applications providing wide socio-economic benefits.

Launcher policies mirror all the major features of the European Space Policy (ESP), as they deal with political, industrial, strategic, symbolic, governance and economic issues. In addition, the launch sector is closely associated with the concept of autonomy, often presented as the main driver behind the ESP. Two conflicting positions lie at the heart of the debate. The political standpoint argues that an autonomous access to space is a strategic necessity for Europe, and that this political objective should dominate any other consideration. A second perspective rather focuses on the economics of the launch sector, putting emphasis on cost-effectiveness and on commercial logics. The major challenge for Europe is to reconcile these two positions into a coherent launcher policy.

Most of the paradoxes of Europe’s launcher policy stem from these seemingly contradictory positions. Arianespace is the leader on the commercial launch market for several years now, but it recently faced financial difficulties. Similarly, Europe is the only major spacefaring entity without a development programme for a next generation launcher as of yet. Finally, it is the only space power without a clear preference policy ordering to launch institutional payloads aboard European rockets.

In the wake of the ESA Council at Ministerial Level, which will take place in Italy next fall, launchers came back on the top of the European space policy agenda. It will be one of the major issues discussed at the Council, and the outcome of the negotiations will have an enduring effect on the future of the ESP. Indeed, Europe’s position on launchers seems to be increasingly fragile. Confronted with a growing global competition in a rapidly evolving commercial market, Europe’s political support is gradually fading away in a context of financial and economic crisis.

The European launcher strategy is burdened by structural political constraints. Due to a complex interplay between a rising EU and competing national interests, there is no consensus on a European definition of autonomous access to space (1). In addition, current discussions and future decisions on the issue are overshadowed by the crisis. This lead to a real paradigm shift in the definition of the future launcher: the focus is now put on the demand, rather than on the supply side (2). Finally, first elements of a future European launcher policy will be sketched (Conclusion).