ESA reassesses its partnerships with NASA

The European Space Agency (ESA) announced that it is analyzing, together with its member states, the potential impact of the budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration for NASA - measures that risk directly affecting joint projects between Europe and the US, AFP reports.

• Dramatic cuts: the SLS rocket, the Orion capsule and the Gateway project in danger

The White House plan involves significant cuts in the NASA budget. Among the most affected could be the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and the Orion capsule, both key components of the Artemis lunar program, to which ESA is actively contributing. Also, the Gateway lunar space station, planned for lunar orbit, could be completely abandoned. This would mean a major blow to international collaboration in the field of lunar exploration.

• ESA: ongoing assessments and consultations with European partners

Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, confirmed that the agency has already started technical consultations with NASA and is "assessing the impact" of these changes together with the member states. "ESA remains open to cooperation with NASA," he said, but stressed that the European agency is also preparing for possible alternative scenarios. A clearer decision will be taken at the ESA Council in June, where the future of the affected programmes will be discussed, as well as how the European space industry could be supported.

• A partnership under pressure

European officials have expressed concern about the uncertainty generated by the changes in space policy in the US. Lionel Suchet, director of France's National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), said that President Trump's vision and the influence of his adviser Elon Musk raise questions about the continuity of transatlantic collaboration. The economic implications are also significant. European giants Thales Alenia Space and Airbus are deeply involved in the projects. In particular, the engine blocks and support modules for the Orion capsule are manufactured in Germany - and any change in direction in the Artemis program could affect production, contracts and jobs in Europe.

Despite the uncertainties, ESA reaffirms its commitment to remain "a reliable but also strong partner" on the international stage. "We are determined to increase Europe's potential in space," Aschbacher said, suggesting that Europe is ready to take a more active and, if necessary, more independent role.