On 27 January 2026, the European Commission and the European Parliament took the next steps towards Europe’s independent access to space
During the 18th European Space Conference, five innovations were awarded the Prize for Game-Changing Innovation for European Launch Solutions, demonstrating the EU’s determination to reinforce its strategic autonomy and competitiveness in the global space sector.
The awards ceremony, held in the presence of key EU representatives, underscored the growing importance of space access as a cornerstone of European sovereignty, economic resilience, and technological leadership.
Supporting breakthrough technologies
Each of the five winning projects received €950,000 in funding, bringing the total investment to €5 million from the European Parliament. The Prize was designed to support breakthrough ideas capable of transforming European launch capabilities at a time when the global space market is becoming increasingly competitive.
Access to space is an important enabler of the entire space ecosystem. Without reliable and autonomous launch solutions, Europe’s ambitions in areas such as Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, climate monitoring, and security cannot be fully realised.
By targeting disruptive innovation, the EU aims to accelerate the development of launch systems that are more agile, resilient, and cost-effective.
Strengthening sovereignty and sustainability
The five projects align with the EU’s wider objectives of strengthening strategic autonomy while promoting sustainability. Reducing launch costs, improving environmental performance, and increasing launch flexibility are essential to ensuring Europe remains a credible space power.
As space-based services become ever more integral to daily life, from digital connectivity to disaster response, Europe’s ability to access space independently is no longer optional. The Prize supports technologies that can help Europe overcome current delays and move beyond incremental improvements, positioning the continent to anticipate and shape future technological shifts rather than reacting to them.
A competitive edge for the European Space industry
Beyond strategic considerations, the Prize also serves as a direct investment in the competitiveness of Europe’s space industry. By backing high-risk, high-reward concepts, the EU is fostering an innovation-friendly environment where startups, research teams, and industrial players can challenge established paradigms in launch technology.
This approach helps create a dynamic industrial base capable of responding quickly to market needs while strengthening Europe’s position within the global space economy. The focus on disruptive innovation reflects a growing recognition that long-term leadership in space will depend on bold technological choices made today.
Laying the groundworks for future investment
The awards ceremony also marked the announcement of a new €20 million grant scheduled to launch in 2026. This upcoming initiative signals a longer-term commitment by the European Union to accelerate innovation in access to space and to support the development of next-generation launch solutions.
By scaling up investment and maintaining political momentum, the EU aims to ensure continuity between early-stage innovation and future deployment. Reusable launch systems, increased launch frequency, and improved sustainability are expected to be central priorities of this next phase.
Together, the Prize for Game-Changing Innovation and the forthcoming grant reflect a clear strategic vision. Europe is hoping to close existing gaps and also to build a forward-looking space sector that supports economic growth, technological leadership, and security.
