Drastic change Europe urged to keep up as race for space intensifies

It is crystal clear in a more volatile geopolitical situation the need for more autonomy is there Josef Aschbacher Head of European Space Agency

- Jasper Jolly

Donald Trump's return to the White House has prompted a shift away from ties with the US by European political leaders and a rapid increase in defence spending as the continent's security reaches a "turning point". Now, the ripples from Europe's desire for self-reliance could go as far as space.

Europe's drive for more autonomy means it must also increase its investment in space technology, according to Josef Aschbacher, the director general of the European Space Agency (Esa), the intergovernmental body tasked with overseeing the space exploration ambitions of European countries including much of the EU and the UK.

"There are many domains that are seen in space as the ones where Europe will want to increase its autonomy, and it is crystal clear in a more volatile geopolitical situation the need for more autonomy is there," Aschbacher said in an interview with the Guardian. "The situation is changing drastically."

Humans are turning their eyes to the skies more than ever. The world is in the middle of a second space race, with governments - and also private companies - taking advantage of huge advances in satellites, sensors and, crucially, rockets. Analysts talk of a $1tn industry, a scale that would match today's airline sector, with Earth observation, communications and even tourism expected to boom.