EU plans to increase satellite launches sixfold by 2034

The European Union plans to increase the number of rocket launches of its satellites by six times by 2034.

The number of EU government satellites will grow from almost 70 to about 630, and the number of commercial satellites will almost double.

The EU's plans may require the use of sites in Norway, the UK and Canada.

MOSCOW, September 26 - RIA Novosti. The European Union plans a sixfold increase in the launches of its orbital artificial satellites until 2034, the Financial Times writes, citing European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius.

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“By 2034, the number of missile launches (of the European Union - ed.) will increase sixfold,” the publication said.

As the newspaper notes, Kubilius said that the number of EU government satellites over this period will grow from almost 70 to about 630, and commercial ones will almost double compared to the current one thousand devices. At the same time, the number of military satellites is planned to increase from about 20 to about 300.

The official also said that the EU, as part of these plans, may need to use sites in Norway, the UK and Canada.

"We are really expanding our missile launch capabilities... on the European continent or in neighboring regions, for example on the island of Anneya (in Norway - ed.) or in Scotland. Portugal is exploring opportunities in the Azores. Canada could be another option," Kubilius said.