Europe faces rocket shortage as SpaceX pulls Falcon-9 from market
SpaceX announced it will stop selling Falcon-9 launches after 2028, leaving European satellite operators without a key launch option.
During a Paris space summit organized by Emmanuel Macron, attention turned to the United States where SpaceX dominates the launch market. The company disclosed that it will cease commercial Falcon-9 flights beyond 2028, a move that has unsettled satellite operators worldwide. The Falcon-9, first flown in 2010, performed 165 launches in 2025, roughly one every two days, with 120 of those dedicated to Starlink satellites, yet it still carried numerous third-party payloads.
SpaceX has not commented on the rationale for ending sales, and its newer Starship vehicle is entering commercial service. Without Falcon-9, many customers, including European firms, may struggle to find affordable and frequent launch capacity.
Why it matters
Europe's satellite industry could lose its most affordable and reliable launch option, affecting connectivity and space services.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 NASA and SpaceX ready to launch Crew-13 for ISS research and technology tests
- Oct 2 Crew‑13 arrived at the ISS in a record‑fast less‑than‑eight‑hour flight and docked with the station.
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