【#STEE 2024: Commentary on the Latest Trends in the Space Business】What is the Strategy of Germany and Europe, at the Forefront of Optical Communication Technology?
Space Tech Expo Europe 2024 was held in Bremen, Germany, from November 19 to 21, 2024. This conference is the largest space technology exhibition in Europe and brings together a wide variety of participants, from private companies to space agencies every year.
This year’s event was even more exciting than ever, with more than 700 exhibitors, about 1.5 times that of previous years. Participation from emerging countries was especially notable, with many companies from Asian emerging countries such as South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as from European emerging countries such as Greece and Lithuania.
From Warpspace, CSO/U.S. CEO Mr. Mori attended the event and participated in a panel discussion. In this article, we will explain the latest trends in Germany and Europe based on Mori’s observations.
(Click here to read last year’s article)
A New Era Dawns in the European Space Industry! The Exploration Company, a German Space Startup, Announces 16 Billion Yen Financing
One of the most notable news stories at this year’s Space Tech Expo Europe 2024 was a major fundraising by the German company The Exploration Company. The company announced on November 18, 2024, that it had successfully raised $160 million in funding.
The funds will be used primarily for the development of Nyx, a spacecraft designed to transport cargo to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and into solar-system space, Nyx Earth, which will operate in LEO and will have the capability to transport 4 tons of pressurized and unpressurized cargo into orbit and return up to 3 tons of cargo to Earth.
The company has achieved major milestones, including a contract from the European Space Agency (ESA), and is planning a test flight of a new capsule using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in 2025. The mission will carry approximately 300 kilograms of cargo, with scientific experiments and technology demonstrations during the short duration of the flight.
In addition, the company has positioned the commercial space station as a major customer and has cargo transportation contracts with Axiom Space, Starlab Space, and Vast. With an order backlog reportedly exceeding $750 million and backed by one of Europe’s largest fundraising rounds, the company has raised a cumulative total of $230 million. The company aims to establish a leadership position in European space exploration.
Mori said on the trend of fundraising in Europe,
“Following this announcement, space startups in European countries are raising triple-digit Million USD amounts of funding one after another, including this year’s procurement by Italy’s D-Orbit.”
While the U.S. boasts overwhelming leadership in space development, Germany leads the world with the most advanced technology in the field of optical communications in space.
Reference
(*1【SPACE NEWS】The Exploration Company raises $160 million for Nyx cargo vehicle.)
Optical communication technology is the key to European security! TNO’s Proposal Shows the Challenges and Solutions
On November 8, 2024, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) released a position paper on the use of optical communication technology in European security and defense.
TNO is an innovative technology provider in fields as diverse as energy, space, cybersecurity, transportation, and medicine, and focuses on advanced technologies such as quantum and optical communication technologies.
In this position paper, the organization outlines its strategy for addressing the security challenges facing Europe and the Netherlands. The main focus is on reducing dependence on non-EU infrastructure, strengthening the supply base, and addressing cybersecurity, for which solutions were proposed using advanced Dutch technologies.
Specifically, the development of satellite constellations for IRIS² and SDA, focused investment in optical user terminals, and the establishment of QKD ground stations for the EuroQCI space segment. The Netherlands is pursuing these through public-private partnerships to strengthen European sovereignty and defense capabilities.
The Netherlands also plans to leverage its experience in semiconductor, radar, optical technology, and space equipment manufacturing to accelerate investment in quantum technology and optical satellite communications to provide reliable solutions.
(Click here for an article explaining quantum technology)
We will continue to keep a close eye on the progress of the optical communications industry in Germany and other European countries, where remarkable progress is being made through the combined efforts of the public and private sectors.
Reference
【TNO】Contributing to Europe’s sovereignty and security
【TNO】 Contributing to Europe’s sovereignty and security Position paper by the Dutch industry on the possibilities of space communications for defense communications for defense
(Author： Natsumi Kawaguchi)
