The Institutional Origins of the Commercialization of the Space Economy in Europe

Abstract This chapter examines the historical and institutional evolution of Europe’s space sector, focusing on the commercialization of space activities. It traces the development of key organizations, such as ESRO, ELDO, and the European Space Agency (ESA), highlighting the challenges presented by the georeturn principle in fostering a competitive space industry. The chapter also explores the creation of the European Union’s Space Programme Agency (EUSPA) and its impact on Europe’s space commercialization efforts. Through a comparative analysis with the United States, particularly SpaceX’s success, the chapter underscores Europe’s slower progress in developing a robust commercial space sector due to institutional constraints and protectionist policies.