Global Space Race Intensifies As Agencies Convene in Milan amid Geopolitical Rivalries

Space agencies, engineers, scientists, and political leaders from around the globe are meeting in Milan this week as the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) addresses the growing geopolitical rivalries in Earth's orbit and on the moon. The event, held since 1950, has traditionally provided a platform for spacefaring nations to discuss cooperation, even during times of heightened political tensions.

This year's congress will bring together representatives from two major rivals—the United States and China—under one roof. However, Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, will not have an official presence. The absence underscores the deepening fault lines in international space collaboration.

Despite this, nearly all of the 77 member countries of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), which organizes the IAC, are present for discussions expected to focus on lunar exploration, NASA's Artemis program, and Europe's pressing need for more sovereign access to space. IAF President Clay Mowry noted a record 7,197 technical abstracts submitted this year, with 37% presented by students and young professionals.

"This is the most exciting time in space since the Apollo era in the 1960s," Mowry said.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is set to rally support at the IAC for the agency's strategy to partner with private companies to replace the aging International Space Station (ISS) after its planned retirement in 2030. The ISS, a two-decade-old symbol of US-Russia space diplomacy, has continued operations despite terrestrial conflicts.

The US is also investing heavily in its Artemis program, aiming to maintain a presence in low-Earth orbit and compete with China's Tiangong space station, which has hosted Chinese astronauts continuously for three years. Both the US and China are racing to land the first humans on the moon since the final American Apollo mission in 1972. The two space powers are actively courting partner nations and relying on private companies for their lunar ambitions, influencing the space objectives of smaller agencies.

Europe's Space Priorities

The IAC coincides with Italy's parliament beginning to approve the country's first legislative framework for its space industry, which outlines guidelines for private investments in the sector.

"These rules provide the national ecosystem with direction on achieving our goals and ensure the sustainable use of space," Italy's Industry Minister Adolfo Urso stated.

Italy, a major contributor to the European Space Agency, has pledged 7.3 billion euros ($7.98 billion) toward national and European space projects through 2026. However, the rise of disruptive space technologies, competition driven largely by SpaceX, and geopolitical tensions have compelled Europe to reconsider its priorities for satellite launches and manufacturing.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has become a cornerstone for Western access to space, prompting countries, including the US, to support new companies offering affordable alternatives. Additionally, the expansion of SpaceX's Starlink network has made the company the world's largest satellite operator.

Following a year-long pause, Europe resumed uncrewed access to orbit in July with a test flight of its Ariane 6 launcher, but capacity remains limited due to the suspension of ties with Russia, whose Soyuz rockets were a key launch provider before the Ukraine conflict.

Europe's satellite industry is also facing challenges as demand for its large geostationary satellites diminishes in favor of constellations in low Earth orbit, such as Starlink. Italian aerospace company Leonardo, one of the event's hosts, has called for a renewed strategy in collaboration with its French partner Thales and rival Airbus.

Preliminary talks are reportedly underway among the three companies to combine their satellite operations, though progress will depend on the stance of the new European Commission, which previously blocked attempts to consolidate the industry.

European strategists argue that the space sector is a global market, and prioritizing internal competition overlooks the broader challenge of international rivalry.

NASA's initiative to foster privately developed ISS replacements is also fostering transatlantic partnerships, such as the recently formed joint venture between Airbus and US-based Voyager Space, aimed at addressing European demand for low-Earth orbit research and operations.