The Institutional Origins of the Commercialization of the Space Economy in Europe

Sarah Lieberman; Harald Köpping Athanasopoulos; Thomas Hoerber

doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198881049.013.0038

The Institutional Origins of the Commercialization of the Space Economy in Europe

Sarah Lieberman
, Harald Köpping Athanasopoulos
, Thomas Hoerber

ESSCA School of Management

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter examines the historical and institutional evolution of Europe’s space sector, focusing on the commercialization of space activities. It traces the development of key organizations, such as ESRO, ELDO, and the European Space Agency (ESA), highlighting the challenges presented by the georeturn principle in fostering a competitive space industry. The chapter also explores the creation of the European Union’s Space Programme Agency (EUSPA) and its impact on Europe’s space commercialization efforts. Through a comparative analysis with the United States, particularly SpaceX’s success, the chapter underscores Europe’s slower progress in developing a robust commercial space sector due to institutional constraints and protectionist policies.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Oxford Handbook of the New Space Economy
Editors	Anthony P. D'Costa
Publisher	Oxford Academic
Pages	216-230
Number of pages	15
ISBN (Electronic)	9780191990526
ISBN (Print)	9780198881049
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198881049.013.0038
Publication status	Published - 27 Jan 2026

Keywords

EU space policy
EUSPA
European Space Agency (ESA)
geographical return principle
global space economy
institutional origins
space commercialization Europe
space industry challenges

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Cite this

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N2 - This chapter examines the historical and institutional evolution of Europe’s space sector, focusing on the commercialization of space activities. It traces the development of key organizations, such as ESRO, ELDO, and the European Space Agency (ESA), highlighting the challenges presented by the georeturn principle in fostering a competitive space industry. The chapter also explores the creation of the European Union’s Space Programme Agency (EUSPA) and its impact on Europe’s space commercialization efforts. Through a comparative analysis with the United States, particularly SpaceX’s success, the chapter underscores Europe’s slower progress in developing a robust commercial space sector due to institutional constraints and protectionist policies.

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KW - EUSPA

KW - European Space Agency (ESA)

KW - geographical return principle

KW - global space economy

KW - institutional origins

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KW - space industry challenges

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BT - The Oxford Handbook of the New Space Economy

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ER -

The Institutional Origins of the Commercialization of the Space Economy in Europe

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Keywords

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