T-Minus Space Daily: "European Space Giants Unite"
Host: Maria Varmazes, N2K Networks
Guest Contributors: Andy Koronios (Australasian Space Innovation Institute), Thorsten Kriening (SpaceWatch Global)
Date: October 23, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode spotlights the landmark move by European aerospace giants Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales to merge their space divisions, aiming to create a sovereign, globally competitive "European space champion." The episode also features updates on European and global space policy, space sustainability, and practical applications of satellite technology, with guest interviews offering deeper perspectives about space innovation in the Australasian region and the European sustainability agenda.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Europe’s New Space Powerhouse
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Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales Unite (02:36–05:15):
- The three aerospace giants have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to combine their space activities into a new company.
- Purpose: Build a "sovereign alternative" to U.S. aerospace giants and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in critical sectors — telecoms, navigation, Earth observation, science, and national security.
- Scope: The joint venture will cover space infrastructure to services but exclude launchers.
- Economic Ambition: The new entity expects “mid triple digit million euro of annual total synergies” after five years and aims to be operational by 2027.
- Broader Context: Intended to create a unified, resilient European player with global competitiveness and export growth.
"This combination has been widely touted as Europe’s sovereign alternative to U.S. aerospace giants... to create a unified, integrated and resilient European space player with the critical mass to compete globally."
– Maria Varmazes (03:39)
2. European Space Agency (ESA) Expansion
- Cyprus Joins ESA as Associate Member (05:16–06:22):
- Cyprus is on track to become an associate ESA member by early 2026, marking progress in integrating smaller European nations into the space sector.
- With Cyprus, ESA will have four associate members (Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia).
3. NATO Space Intelligence Initiative
- SATVU Joins APSS (Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space) (06:23–07:13):
- SATVU’s participation enhances NATO’s space intelligence-sharing capabilities with advanced thermal imaging, integrating commercial and government assets, managed by the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA).
- Supports actionable, timely insight for alliance decision-making.
4. Global Space Security
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SpaceX Disables Starlink Devices in Myanmar (07:52–09:01):
- SpaceX acted against the misuse of its Starlink terminals by criminal operations in Myanmar, disabling ~2,500 kits tied to scam compounds.
- The company is cooperating with global authorities; despite efforts, new scam compounds still appear.
"The move follows reports that Starlink had enabled Internet access for cybercrime operations near the Thai border despite previous government crackdowns."
– Dave Bittner (08:19)
5. China’s Lunar Ambitions
- Chang’E 7 Prepares for Lunar Water Search (09:01–10:06):
- China’s Chang’E 7 mission, carrying international payloads, will search for water ice near the Moon’s south pole, launching in August 2026.
- Partners include Russia, Egypt, Bahrain, Thailand, Italy, Switzerland, and the International Lunar Observatory Association.
6. Australasian Space Innovation Institute Spotlight
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Guest: Andy Koronios, CEO, ASII (12:25–24:02):
ASII Origins and Mission (12:40–15:35):
- Built from the SmartSat CRC, ASII aims to translate advanced satellite tech (AI, communications) into real-world impact across disaster management, agriculture, and national security.
- Emphasizes the shift from government-only space activities to broader, more democratized industry involvement following cost reductions in launch and satellite development.
"World class research really only matters when it makes a difference on earth... our tagline is make space for Earth."
– Andy Koronios (12:42)Focus Areas (15:35–20:04):
- Earth observation, advanced/optical communications, AI/edge satellite processing, robotics, autonomy.
- Development of over 200 projects, with several technologies now being validated in the U.S.
- Flagship project: Australian Agricultural National Digital Twin — a real-time AI-powered model for optimizing agriculture using satellite, drone, and environmental data.
"We want to bring all of that together so that not only farmers actually make more money and food costs less, but of course... we protect the environment."
– Andy Koronios (19:14)KPIs and Regional Impact (20:36–24:02):
- Success is measured by real-world outcomes: impactful projects for agriculture, mining, national security.
- Strong partnerships with New Zealand: together, their maritime domain covers 16% of the globe.
- Aspires for closer cooperation with U.S. industry: “Can we work together? Can we be your landing pad... in the Indo-Pacific area?”
"Australia and New Zealand together… have a search and rescue and economic exclusion zone that… [is] 16% of the globe. Just imagine two tiny countries looking after 16% of the Earth."
– Andy Koronios (21:21)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On forming a European space champion:
"This agreement is just the first formal step in forming the new organization which is expected to generate mid triple digit million euro of annual synergies on operating income five years after closing..."
– Maria Varmazes (04:21) -
On the new company’s ambition:
"[It] will accelerate innovation in the market in order to create a unified, integrated and resilient European space player with the critical mass to compete globally."
– Maria Varmazes (04:08) -
On operationalizing research:
"We believe strongly in actually taking a lot of those technologies and making them useful to the farmer, to the miner, to the emergency responder, and so on."
– Andy Koronios (18:10)
Space Sustainability Summit and European Policy (25:23–30:05)
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Thorsten Kriening Reports from Paris:
- A pivotal day for European space: major MoU announced and summits focused on space sustainability and policy.
- New Airbus-Leonardo-Thales joint company aims to employ 25,000 people with annual revenues of €6.5B, dwarfing Germany’s 10,000-person space workforce.
- ESA Council meeting sets up decisions for the next decade at the upcoming Bremen Ministerial.
- Sara Dalladon (European Space Policy Institute) calls the EU Space Act “a bridge between sustainability and sovereignty,” emphasizing flexible yet responsible regulation.
- Data scarcity: most space sustainability funding has gone to situational awareness, but other markets (debris removal, in-orbit servicing) are underfunded and still seeking commercial viability.
"Europe needs rules that enable, not restrain. The act… must balance regulatory certainty with industrial flexibility."
– Sara Dalladon, as paraphrased by Thorsten Kriening (27:46)"Policymakers pushing for common regulation. The summit strengthens the narrative for space sustainability and industry giants forming a new European space champion..."
– Thorsten Kriening (29:43)
Additional Highlights (10:43–11:38)
- Financial and investment stories: Apex’s on-orbit interceptor demo plans, Iridium & Honeywell financials, and Venus Aerospace investment news covered in the Selected Readings section.
Important Segments & Timestamps
- European Space Joint Venture Announcement: 02:36–05:15
- ESA and Cyprus Agreement: 05:16–06:22
- NATO APSS Initiative (SATVU): 06:23–07:13
- Starlink Disables Scam Devices in Myanmar: 07:52–09:01
- China's Chang’E 7 Lunar Mission: 09:01–10:06
- Andy Koronios/ASII Interview: 12:25–24:02
- Space Sustainability Summit — Thorsten Kriening: 25:23–30:05
Tone and Style
Consistently informative, measured, and forward-looking — the hosts and guests balance technical detail with an emphasis on real-world impact, collaboration, and responsible stewardship of space.
In Summary
This episode captures a milestone in European industrial collaboration, signaling a new phase of strategic autonomy and sustainability in space. Through news briefs, expert interviews, and on-site event updates, the podcast illustrates the interconnectedness of space policy, industry, and ground-level impact — from Brussels to the Indo-Pacific and from lunar aspirations to farmers’ fields.