ЕС потребуется выйти за пределы своих границ для достижения целей по запуску спутников,according to European space commissioner Andrius Kubilius. В интервью Financial Times Kubilius said the bloc must use sites in Norway, UK and Canada as it forecasts a sixfold increase in rocket launches by 2034. The EU is building its own constellation intended to give an alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink, plus a secure government satellite network. Demand is also expected from member states and commercial providers.

Over the next eight years, national defence satellites are projected to grow from about 20 to almost 300, government satellites from nearly 70 to nearly 630, and commercial satellites nearly doubling from 1,000. The EU will require 62 launches annually by 2034. The Ariane 6 rocket using the main European Space Agency pad in French Guiana can handle 10 launches per year but needs to reach 14.

European sites face technical disadvantages compared with equatorial locations for some satellite launches. The commissioner noted that launches near the equator provide a free velocity boost of about 1,675km/h. He added that European companies must scale up and develop new rocket types.

Sites under consideration include Andøya in Norway, Scotland, Portugal's Azores, and Canada.