Rafael Mentges
@mentges.bsky.social
Space Economist. Interested in European Integration, industrial policy, innovation, strategic sovereignty, and of course things like launchers, SatCom, EO ...
I have another profile focused more on my old interests: Macro, monetary policy and banking.
I have another profile focused more on my old interests: Macro, monetary policy and banking.
Pinned
Rafael Mentges
@mentges.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Ok, here is an updated version of my space policy starter pack.
Let's make #BlueSpace the best platform for space news, space econ and space law discussions.
@sharestuff.bsky.social
go.bsky.app/PRWt1qf
Let's make #BlueSpace the best platform for space news, space econ and space law discussions.
@sharestuff.bsky.social
go.bsky.app/PRWt1qf
Not everything is bad in Germany and France
November 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Not everything is bad in Germany and France
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
This isn't good for the continued operation of the ISS. Remember, not only are we talking crew exchanges, but we're also talking about Progress logistics launches. Russia is in charge of the ISS's propulsion, which requires fuel deliveries. Fingers crossed, the other launch pads can be activated.
Russia's only pad for crew launches suffers major damage:
russianspaceweb.com/baikonur_r7_...
russianspaceweb.com/baikonur_r7_...
November 27, 2025 at 11:34 PM
This isn't good for the continued operation of the ISS. Remember, not only are we talking crew exchanges, but we're also talking about Progress logistics launches. Russia is in charge of the ISS's propulsion, which requires fuel deliveries. Fingers crossed, the other launch pads can be activated.
A sign of life from Starliner!
"Boeing and NASA also announced that they have updated the prime’s commercial crew contract ... The updated contract will see Boeing fly four guaranteed missions to the space station—the cargo resupply mission and three crewed flights."
"Boeing and NASA also announced that they have updated the prime’s commercial crew contract ... The updated contract will see Boeing fly four guaranteed missions to the space station—the cargo resupply mission and three crewed flights."
Starliner to Fly Uncrewed Cargo Mission in April, Not Astronauts
After making headlines for a troubled crew flight test that ended last year, as well as two uncrewed flight tests in 2019 and 2022 that did not meet expectations, the Boeing capsule is trying to shed ...
payloadspace.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:18 PM
A sign of life from Starliner!
"Boeing and NASA also announced that they have updated the prime’s commercial crew contract ... The updated contract will see Boeing fly four guaranteed missions to the space station—the cargo resupply mission and three crewed flights."
"Boeing and NASA also announced that they have updated the prime’s commercial crew contract ... The updated contract will see Boeing fly four guaranteed missions to the space station—the cargo resupply mission and three crewed flights."
Lots of challenges for sustained human presence on the Moon. One of them is dealing with regolith:
"We don’t know if it’s deadly, ... I’m really worried we’re going to plump a billion dollars’ worth of hardware on the Moon, and within three months it will be unusable.”
"We don’t know if it’s deadly, ... I’m really worried we’re going to plump a billion dollars’ worth of hardware on the Moon, and within three months it will be unusable.”
Sustaining Life on the Moon is Harder Than it Looks
Artemis requires scientists and researchers to find long-term solutions to the problems space creates for human health.
payloadspace.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Lots of challenges for sustained human presence on the Moon. One of them is dealing with regolith:
"We don’t know if it’s deadly, ... I’m really worried we’re going to plump a billion dollars’ worth of hardware on the Moon, and within three months it will be unusable.”
"We don’t know if it’s deadly, ... I’m really worried we’re going to plump a billion dollars’ worth of hardware on the Moon, and within three months it will be unusable.”
Unpopular opinion:
Instead of one European on the Moon, we get one German, one French, and one Italian each only flying around the Moon.
Europe's problem in a nutshell called Orion. Instead of achieving great things by thinking European, we remain mediocre by thinking national.
🇪🇺💔
Instead of one European on the Moon, we get one German, one French, and one Italian each only flying around the Moon.
Europe's problem in a nutshell called Orion. Instead of achieving great things by thinking European, we remain mediocre by thinking national.
🇪🇺💔
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Unpopular opinion:
Instead of one European on the Moon, we get one German, one French, and one Italian each only flying around the Moon.
Europe's problem in a nutshell called Orion. Instead of achieving great things by thinking European, we remain mediocre by thinking national.
🇪🇺💔
Instead of one European on the Moon, we get one German, one French, and one Italian each only flying around the Moon.
Europe's problem in a nutshell called Orion. Instead of achieving great things by thinking European, we remain mediocre by thinking national.
🇪🇺💔
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Should Europeans go back to the Moon ?
IMO yes ... but only if there is a very clear exploitation plan for any technology developed under associated programmes.
@esa.int's Moonlight lunar comms programme is one early example of key support services www.esa.int/Applications...
IMO yes ... but only if there is a very clear exploitation plan for any technology developed under associated programmes.
@esa.int's Moonlight lunar comms programme is one early example of key support services www.esa.int/Applications...
November 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Should Europeans go back to the Moon ?
IMO yes ... but only if there is a very clear exploitation plan for any technology developed under associated programmes.
@esa.int's Moonlight lunar comms programme is one early example of key support services www.esa.int/Applications...
IMO yes ... but only if there is a very clear exploitation plan for any technology developed under associated programmes.
@esa.int's Moonlight lunar comms programme is one early example of key support services www.esa.int/Applications...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Si j'ai bien suivi, pour la première fois de son histoire les huit ports d'amarrage disponibles de l'ISS sont occupés par des véhicules de passage.
Quatre véhicules russes dont deux Progress et deux Soyuz, trois véhicules américains dont Cargo Dragon, Crew Dragon et Cygnus XL, et un HTV-X japonais.
Quatre véhicules russes dont deux Progress et deux Soyuz, trois véhicules américains dont Cargo Dragon, Crew Dragon et Cygnus XL, et un HTV-X japonais.
November 27, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Si j'ai bien suivi, pour la première fois de son histoire les huit ports d'amarrage disponibles de l'ISS sont occupés par des véhicules de passage.
Quatre véhicules russes dont deux Progress et deux Soyuz, trois véhicules américains dont Cargo Dragon, Crew Dragon et Cygnus XL, et un HTV-X japonais.
Quatre véhicules russes dont deux Progress et deux Soyuz, trois véhicules américains dont Cargo Dragon, Crew Dragon et Cygnus XL, et un HTV-X japonais.
Assuming NASA's Moon landing programme goes beyond Artemis 3, we would see three European astronauts going to the Moon, a German, a French, and an Italian. So far, understood.
But...
- If a German will be the first European on Artemis 3 (or will it be 4), he will only go around the Moon.
But...
- If a German will be the first European on Artemis 3 (or will it be 4), he will only go around the Moon.
German Ministry for Research, Technology and Space:
"A German will fly to the Moon – possibly as early as 2026 ... A lunar flyby is planned, with the long-term goal set on Mars!"
"A German will fly to the Moon – possibly as early as 2026 ... A lunar flyby is planned, with the long-term goal set on Mars!"
November 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Assuming NASA's Moon landing programme goes beyond Artemis 3, we would see three European astronauts going to the Moon, a German, a French, and an Italian. So far, understood.
But...
- If a German will be the first European on Artemis 3 (or will it be 4), he will only go around the Moon.
But...
- If a German will be the first European on Artemis 3 (or will it be 4), he will only go around the Moon.
German Ministry for Research, Technology and Space:
"A German will fly to the Moon – possibly as early as 2026 ... A lunar flyby is planned, with the long-term goal set on Mars!"
"A German will fly to the Moon – possibly as early as 2026 ... A lunar flyby is planned, with the long-term goal set on Mars!"
November 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
German Ministry for Research, Technology and Space:
"A German will fly to the Moon – possibly as early as 2026 ... A lunar flyby is planned, with the long-term goal set on Mars!"
"A German will fly to the Moon – possibly as early as 2026 ... A lunar flyby is planned, with the long-term goal set on Mars!"
Again and again, recommended reading:
Draghi (2019) on "Sovereignty in a Globalised World"
Draghi (2019) on "Sovereignty in a Globalised World"
Freedland's piece reminded me of this important speech by Mario Draghi from 2019, where he showed that already in a 2016 world when the Brexit referendum took place the UK's detachment from the EU made no sense.
www.ecb.europa.eu/press/key/da...
www.ecb.europa.eu/press/key/da...
Sovereignty in a globalised world
The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank of the European Union countries which have adopted the euro. Our main task is to maintain price stability in the euro area and so preserve the purch...
www.ecb.europa.eu
November 27, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Again and again, recommended reading:
Draghi (2019) on "Sovereignty in a Globalised World"
Draghi (2019) on "Sovereignty in a Globalised World"
It's behind a paywall, but apparently ERS-EO is not met with enthusiasm by member states.
The Earth Observation part of the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme is supposed to develop technologies for the EU's plans to build a new EO architecture ...
The Earth Observation part of the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme is supposed to develop technologies for the EU's plans to build a new EO architecture ...
In a first setback at ministerial conference, ESA forced to accept 12-month delay in approving global ISR constellation - Space Intel Report
BREMEN, Germany — The European Space Agency (ESA) has met resistance to its proposal to jump-start…
www.spaceintelreport.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
It's behind a paywall, but apparently ERS-EO is not met with enthusiasm by member states.
The Earth Observation part of the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme is supposed to develop technologies for the EU's plans to build a new EO architecture ...
The Earth Observation part of the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme is supposed to develop technologies for the EU's plans to build a new EO architecture ...
Alexander Stubb:
"All of us have a choice. And the choice is between multilateralism and multipolarity. And these two things are very different. Multilateralism is about cooperation, it's about rules, it's about norms, and it's about institutions.
...
1/n
"All of us have a choice. And the choice is between multilateralism and multipolarity. And these two things are very different. Multilateralism is about cooperation, it's about rules, it's about norms, and it's about institutions.
...
1/n
‘West Is Unfair…’: Finland President Alexander Stubb Viral Speech At G20 Summit 2025 In South Africa
YouTube video by Hook Global
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Alexander Stubb:
"All of us have a choice. And the choice is between multilateralism and multipolarity. And these two things are very different. Multilateralism is about cooperation, it's about rules, it's about norms, and it's about institutions.
...
1/n
"All of us have a choice. And the choice is between multilateralism and multipolarity. And these two things are very different. Multilateralism is about cooperation, it's about rules, it's about norms, and it's about institutions.
...
1/n
#Ariane6 is intended to lift off for space much more frequently. Production is being ramped up to enable ten missions per year starting in 2027.
2024: 1
2025: 4
2026: 8
2027: 10
Not really SpaceX numbers but at least its working. But, of course, it is not enough.
2024: 1
2025: 4
2026: 8
2027: 10
Not really SpaceX numbers but at least its working. But, of course, it is not enough.
Bald deutlich mehr Starts der Trägerrakete Ariane 6
Die Trägerrakete Ariane 6 soll deutlich häufiger ins All starten. Die Produktion wird hochgefahren, um ab 2027 zehn Missionen pro Jahr zu ermöglichen.
www.heise.de
November 25, 2025 at 8:20 PM
#Ariane6 is intended to lift off for space much more frequently. Production is being ramped up to enable ten missions per year starting in 2027.
2024: 1
2025: 4
2026: 8
2027: 10
Not really SpaceX numbers but at least its working. But, of course, it is not enough.
2024: 1
2025: 4
2026: 8
2027: 10
Not really SpaceX numbers but at least its working. But, of course, it is not enough.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
#newsnight Morgan wanging on with his uniformed speculation about Russia’s war on Ukraine. Russia is expending money, men and material at an unsustainable rate… Putin needs a peace plan that rewards him because without one his future is hanging… www.msn.com/en-gb/money/...
MSN
www.msn.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
#newsnight Morgan wanging on with his uniformed speculation about Russia’s war on Ukraine. Russia is expending money, men and material at an unsustainable rate… Putin needs a peace plan that rewards him because without one his future is hanging… www.msn.com/en-gb/money/...
What are the most crucial decisions that need to be taken at #CM25 in your opinion?
- Maybe first steps toward human rated launch and return capabilities? According to The Exploration Company, delivering a human rated capsule would take around 10 years.
- Maybe first steps toward human rated launch and return capabilities? According to The Exploration Company, delivering a human rated capsule would take around 10 years.
Over the coming days, the decisions taken in this room will define Europe’s trajectory for decades to come. How will we demonstrate the leadership our citizens expect from us? Will we transform the immense potential of space into real benefits for our economies and our people? Watch this space #CM25
November 24, 2025 at 3:47 PM
What are the most crucial decisions that need to be taken at #CM25 in your opinion?
- Maybe first steps toward human rated launch and return capabilities? According to The Exploration Company, delivering a human rated capsule would take around 10 years.
- Maybe first steps toward human rated launch and return capabilities? According to The Exploration Company, delivering a human rated capsule would take around 10 years.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
The hiring gap exposed: which nationalities are underrepresented among EU staff and what measures have been launched to close the gap?
👉 dlvr.it/TPQyXG
👉 dlvr.it/TPQyXG
November 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The hiring gap exposed: which nationalities are underrepresented among EU staff and what measures have been launched to close the gap?
👉 dlvr.it/TPQyXG
👉 dlvr.it/TPQyXG
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Horizon Europe call
The fourth Horizon Europe call is now open for submissions. Managed by EUSPA, this call provides EUR 15 million to support the development of innovative space-based applications and strengthen the EU Space downstream market.
www.euspa.europa.eu/newsroom-eve...
The fourth Horizon Europe call is now open for submissions. Managed by EUSPA, this call provides EUR 15 million to support the development of innovative space-based applications and strengthen the EU Space downstream market.
www.euspa.europa.eu/newsroom-eve...
November 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Horizon Europe call
The fourth Horizon Europe call is now open for submissions. Managed by EUSPA, this call provides EUR 15 million to support the development of innovative space-based applications and strengthen the EU Space downstream market.
www.euspa.europa.eu/newsroom-eve...
The fourth Horizon Europe call is now open for submissions. Managed by EUSPA, this call provides EUR 15 million to support the development of innovative space-based applications and strengthen the EU Space downstream market.
www.euspa.europa.eu/newsroom-eve...
This is interesting! A space-related position where being an economist is considered "desirable."
NATO is looking for a Space Capabilities Officer
DESIRABLE
• a University degree in the area of economics
NATO is looking for a Space Capabilities Officer
DESIRABLE
• a University degree in the area of economics
Space Capabilities Officer (+Reserve list)
Click the link provided to see the complete job description.
nato.taleo.net
November 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This is interesting! A space-related position where being an economist is considered "desirable."
NATO is looking for a Space Capabilities Officer
DESIRABLE
• a University degree in the area of economics
NATO is looking for a Space Capabilities Officer
DESIRABLE
• a University degree in the area of economics
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
☀️ Lessons from the November 2025 solar storm
Last week, Earth was hit by a large solar storm. The event provided an opportunity for multiple ESA missions, whether orbiting Earth or far into deep space, to collect radiation data, which is now being analysed.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Last week, Earth was hit by a large solar storm. The event provided an opportunity for multiple ESA missions, whether orbiting Earth or far into deep space, to collect radiation data, which is now being analysed.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
November 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM
☀️ Lessons from the November 2025 solar storm
Last week, Earth was hit by a large solar storm. The event provided an opportunity for multiple ESA missions, whether orbiting Earth or far into deep space, to collect radiation data, which is now being analysed.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Last week, Earth was hit by a large solar storm. The event provided an opportunity for multiple ESA missions, whether orbiting Earth or far into deep space, to collect radiation data, which is now being analysed.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
On 17 December 2025, two Galileo satellites will be launched by Arianespace on Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
www.esa.int/Applications...
www.esa.int/Applications...
Galileo to take its first flight on Ariane 6 on 17 December
On 17 December 2025, two Galileo satellites will be launched by Arianespace on Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This 14th operational launch in the Galileo programme will improve the...
www.esa.int
November 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
On 17 December 2025, two Galileo satellites will be launched by Arianespace on Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
www.esa.int/Applications...
www.esa.int/Applications...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Space Weather Alerts 🌌 Coronal Hole, Geomagnetic Storm & Galactic Core Storm spaceweather.com www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/ale... www.swift-sgra.com soho.nascom.nasa.gov
November 24, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Space Weather Alerts 🌌 Coronal Hole, Geomagnetic Storm & Galactic Core Storm spaceweather.com www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/ale... www.swift-sgra.com soho.nascom.nasa.gov
Moss spores survive nine months in space outside of the ISS.
"We expected almost zero survival, but the result was the opposite: Most of the spores survived,"
"We expected almost zero survival, but the result was the opposite: Most of the spores survived,"
'We were genuinely astonished': This moss survived 9 months outside the International Space Station and could still grow on Earth
"This study demonstrates the astonishing resilience of life that originated on Earth."
www.space.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Moss spores survive nine months in space outside of the ISS.
"We expected almost zero survival, but the result was the opposite: Most of the spores survived,"
"We expected almost zero survival, but the result was the opposite: Most of the spores survived,"
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
This would be a great warmup for a mission to boost Hubble
Fascinating on-orbit servicing concept, sure ... I am a bit surprised that the #Pegasus launcher is still operational.
The last launch took place in 2021. Not really a high cadence.
Does Northrop Grumman just have a few of those lying around in their warehouse?
The last launch took place in 2021. Not really a high cadence.
Does Northrop Grumman just have a few of those lying around in their warehouse?
Private mission to save NASA space telescope will launch in 2026 on a rocket dropped from a plane
"It's the only launch vehicle that can meet the orbit, the schedule and the cost to achieve something unprecedented with emerging technology."
www.space.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This would be a great warmup for a mission to boost Hubble
Fascinating on-orbit servicing concept, sure ... I am a bit surprised that the #Pegasus launcher is still operational.
The last launch took place in 2021. Not really a high cadence.
Does Northrop Grumman just have a few of those lying around in their warehouse?
The last launch took place in 2021. Not really a high cadence.
Does Northrop Grumman just have a few of those lying around in their warehouse?
Private mission to save NASA space telescope will launch in 2026 on a rocket dropped from a plane
"It's the only launch vehicle that can meet the orbit, the schedule and the cost to achieve something unprecedented with emerging technology."
www.space.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Fascinating on-orbit servicing concept, sure ... I am a bit surprised that the #Pegasus launcher is still operational.
The last launch took place in 2021. Not really a high cadence.
Does Northrop Grumman just have a few of those lying around in their warehouse?
The last launch took place in 2021. Not really a high cadence.
Does Northrop Grumman just have a few of those lying around in their warehouse?