Rocketing Ambitions: Inside France’s Booming Space & Satellite Industry in 2025
France became the world’s third spacefaring nation in 1965 and now contributes nearly 19% of the European Space Agency budget. Over 1,000 French companies, including Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, drive a €7 billion space trade surplus. The Ariane 6 rocket launched in July 2024, restoring Europe’s independent access to space. France maintains partnerships with over 60 countries, including NASA and JAXA.
