French President Emmanuel Macron defended at the Space Summit, which runs in Paris until September 10, a European alliance for direct-to-device technology, which allows direct connection of mobile phones to low-orbit satellites without the need for external antennas or special chips. Macron wants Europeans to have this technology directly on their devices by 2030, with quality comparable to 5G anywhere. The French president called on telecommunications operators, constellation operators and industry to form this European alliance.
Macron warned that access to Space on a large scale and at affordable prices is fundamental, noting that to build mega-constellations, several hundred tons per year in orbit are needed at a competitive cost. The French leader argued that the European Commission should present, in the next multiannual financial framework, a European mechanism to aggregate institutional launches, bringing together the needs of the Commission, the European Space Agency, Member States and security partners.
During his speech, Macron made reference to Portugal, highlighting that new launch bases are emerging in Europe, including in the Azores. The French President also criticized that major European players who wish to remain "hegemonic" are those who received the most American public funds and built their competitiveness through multiple publicly funded institutional launches.
Macron also announced the launch of a European market platform for dual-use space capabilities, open to European partners and NATO, with the goal of registering around 50 French and European companies by 2027. The French President also advocated for deep reforms in the European model, including the end of geographic return rules, and expressed public support for strengthening the European budget dedicated to space.
