Franco-German Space Cooperation: A Fine Balance of Competition and Strengthening

In 2010, Germany’s Space Strategy proudly stated: “The level of funding [by the German Federal Government] has made it possible to consolidate Germany’s role as a key location for space activities as well as its number 2 position in the European space sector (after France and ahead of Italy)”. [1] While seemingly comfortable with the second place in Europe’s space landscape, the strategy document also postulates that the ranking “should not only be a reason for contentment, but also an incentive” [2] to further develop Germany’s space capabilities in a broad range of areas. More than ten years later, however, the discrepancy between self-set goals and political realities continues to be quite obvious. This is due to the lack of awareness of the relevance of space-based assets and services. For a long time, space was neglected both in German politics and public debate, and while it is gradually changing, knowledge about the opportunities and risks of space is still