Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science · The Planetary Society

The 18th European Space Conference: Dreaming of European boots on the Moon

·57 min·4 clips

Asbacher says Europe has no plan to put humans on the Moon without NASA.

1. Planetary Radio covers the 18th European Space Conference in Brussels and frames the episode around Europe’s role in the race back to the Moon. 2. Sarah Al-Ahmed hosts the program, and guests include Thomas Dimitrov, Andreas Kubilius, Joseph Asbacher, Benjamin Haddad, Dorte Baer, and Bruce Betts, each tied to European space policy or lunar exploration. 3. The episode asks what Europe should do as Artemis 2, China’s 2030 lunar goal, and ESA’s Moon plans move forward. 4. Dimitrov says the European Space Conference has run since 2008, is backed by the European Commission, ESA, European governments, and European industry, and exists as a platform for debate, exchange, and networking. 5. Kubilius says his first year as European Commissioner for Defence and Space was a year of achievements and profound geopolitical changes. 6. Kubilius names Defence Readiness 2030, Galileo, Copernicus, and Iris Square as examples of Europe’s space priorities. 7. Kubilius says Europe should be proud because Galileo, Copernicus, and Iris Square are projects no member state can build alone. 8. Asbacher says Europe is not sitting on the sidelines because the Orion spacecraft for Artemis 2 uses a European service module made in Germany. 9. Asbacher says Europe has no independent plan, no rockets capable of sending astronauts to lunar orbit, and no landers for humans on the Moon. 10. Haddad says Europe needs regulation, a European space law, and a July space summit in France to keep others from defining the rules of the game. 11. Haddad says missing this moment would make Europe lose sovereignty and access in space. 12. Baer says Artemis 2 cannot fly without the European service module, and she presents that hardware as proof that Europe can do space. 13. The Moonlight panel brings together NASA, ESA, Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, iSpace Europe, Intuitive Machines, and the Italian Space Agency. 14. The panel centers on lunar communications, navigation, relay networks, and the emerging lunar economy. 15. ESA’s Stefan Demeth says Moonlight is a buy rather than make approach from the exploration directorate side. 16. Jason Solov says the lunar economy will need federated networks, cross-support agreements, and both commercial and national capability. 17. The panel repeatedly returns to the idea that 2031 depends on infrastructure already being decided now. 18. The tone is formal, policy-heavy, and interview-based, with conference-floor remarks followed by a technical roundtable. 19. Listeners interested in European space policy and lunar infrastructure. 20. Listeners wanting light entertainment or narrative storytelling.

As heard by us

A broad look at Europe's lunar strategy, with policy, competitiveness, Moonlight, and Artemis II in view.

Planetary Radio takes a broad, steady look at the 18th European Space Conference in Brussels, where European space leaders lay out what comes next.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If you want Europe's Moon strategy from the people shaping it, start here.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science