Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen, the pilot of SpaceX’s next mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which will launch in August, warned on Wednesday that Europe risks being left behind in the space race and in the development of key technologies of the future, Reuters reported.

Andreas Mogensen (left)Photo: Emil Nicolai Helms / AFP / Profimedia Images

Mogensen, who in a few months will become the first foreign astronaut to fly to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, also expressed hope that one day he will be able to reach space aboard an independent European mission.

“It would be a great honor to fly aboard a European spacecraft,” he emphasized in an interview with Reuters journalists.

The European Space Agency is currently only able to manage manned missions in space thanks to international cooperation, and Western European countries are struggling to launch satellites after war broke out in Ukraine, blocking access to Roscosmos’ Soyuz rocket, Italy’s Vega-C launch vehicle technical problems arose and the inauguration of the next Ariane 6 rocket was marked by repeated delays.

The final launch of Europe’s Ariane 5 rocket will take place next month.

“I think it would certainly be a great asset for Europe and the European space industry if we could send astronauts into space aboard a European spacecraft,” Mogensen added.

Andreas Mogensen emphasizes that Europe should not lag behind in critical technologies

“I think the last year or so has shown us that there are some critical technologies that we as a continent need to master in order to not be dependent on foreign countries that can use our lack of capabilities to put pressure on us.” . , – he also emphasized.

Sensitive technologies include secure communications, precision satellite navigation and Earth observation, including natural disaster monitoring.

Last November, the European Space Agency asked its 22 member states to approve a 25% increase in funding for space-related activities to remain a valued partner of the United States.

The U.S. is now the undisputed leader of the new space race, with NASA’s budget increased significantly after the White House made it its goal to return American astronauts to the moon.

According to official data presented by the government in Washington, the US space agency’s budget has grown annually since 2020, reaching $32 billion by 2023.

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