The European contribution to the Artemis architecture is anchored by the European Service Module (ESM), which provides propulsion, power, and life support for the Orion spacecraft. Built by Airbus Defence and Space in Bremen, the ESM has already proven its reliability during the recent Artemis II mission. The module, which housed the main engine and maneuvering thrusters, kept the four-person crew alive and maintained trajectory with minimal corrective measures. Siân Cleaver, Airbus’ industrial manager for the Orion ESM program, noted that the module has worked “almost flawlessly,” a testament to the heritage of Airbus hardware that includes the Columbus laboratory on the International Space Station and the Automated Transfer Vehicle.
Germany, ESA’s largest budget contributor, is positioned to benefit from these industrial ties. While the specific crew member for the lunar orbit has not yet been named, the leading candidates from the German contingent are experienced astronauts Matthias Maurer and Alexander Gerst. Both have completed long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS), with Gerst holding 362 days in space and Maurer 176 days. This marks a historic step for European spaceflight; while several European astronauts have participated in Hubble Space Telescope repair missions in the 1990s, no European has previously ventured deeper into space than low Earth orbit. Dorothee Bär, Germany’s Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, emphasized that a European astronaut traveling 360,000 kilometers away will see the Earth as a whole for the first time.
As Europe looks toward lunar exploration, it is also addressing critical gaps in its terrestrial launch and manufacturing infrastructure. Rocket Lab, the New Zealand-based space company, has established a German subsidiary, Rocket Lab Germany GmbH, to provide sovereign satellite manufacturing capacity. Formally announced in August, the subsidiary was created from a pre-existing entity shortly before Rocket Lab acquired the Munich-based optical communications terminal supplier Mynaric AG. The company plans to use its Munich-based operations to offer scaled domestic production of satellites and launch services on its Electron and Neutron rockets.
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck identified satellite manufacturing as a central pillar of the strategy, aiming to serve commercial, civil, and defense space programs as a domestic European provider. Beck cited geopolitical tensions as a primary driver, noting that European nations are increasingly seeking sovereignty in space. He referenced Germany’s commitment to invest €35 billion in space-related defense projects by 2030, which would previously have been outsourced. “A good example more recently is Germany has put over $40 billion into a satellite missile warning system,” Beck said, highlighting the shift in procurement priorities.
Launch capacity remains a significant constraint for Europe. While the upgraded Ariane 6 can carry heavy payloads, such as 36 Amazon Leo satellites in a single flight, the frequency of launches is limited. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, with a maximum payload of 300 kilograms to low Earth orbit, completed 21 missions in 2025. While the upcoming Neutron rocket promises a payload capacity of up to 15,000 kilograms, its initial availability is limited, with a planned launch cadence of one to five missions per year. The next available Neutron flights may not occur until 2030 due to existing commercial and government commitments.
This timeline aligns with warnings from ESA leadership regarding a potential launch shortage. Aschbacher has cautioned that Europe is heading toward a peak in launch requirements around 2029 and 2031 as current and planned constellations come online. The establishment of Rocket Lab Germany aims to provide an additional avenue for access to space, complementing existing European capabilities. Meanwhile, Airbus continues to navigate shifts in the Artemis program, including recent proposals to shelve the Lunar Gateway, while maintaining its contract for the ESM through multiple missions. The agency’s ability to secure future work will depend on its continued industrial backing and the realization of broader European space sovereignty goals.
