Europe seeks better rockets as it backs Esa plans

Seville meeting brings strategic-autonomy pledge, as ministers try to refocus extra-planetary efforts

European ministers have agreed to set the course of space exploration towards a greener planet and promised support for new rockets, as part of a serious effort to send Europeans to space.

Activities beyond Earth’s atmosphere have rocketed up government agendas recently, with both the United States and China pushing for dominance, and the EU keen not to be left behind. This week, ministers and senior figures from the research sector met in Seville for the annual EU space week and again stressed the importance of bold action.