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.
Btw. this is from the WIPO Global Innovation Index 2025. Interesting stuff
www.wipo.int/web-publicat...
www.wipo.int/web-publicat...
Global Innovation Index 2025
Tracking the most recent global innovation trends, the GII captures a moment of recalibration where R&D growth has slowed, venture capital activity has moderated with cautious early-stage funding,...
www.wipo.int
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Btw. this is from the WIPO Global Innovation Index 2025. Interesting stuff
www.wipo.int/web-publicat...
www.wipo.int/web-publicat...
In this case the decision was already made. We kind of bought (or bartered) some form of tickets with the European Service Module and the European contributions to Lunar Gateway.
November 28, 2025 at 9:57 AM
In this case the decision was already made. We kind of bought (or bartered) some form of tickets with the European Service Module and the European contributions to Lunar Gateway.
You're right, that's not how it works but you end up with less overall because of it.
I would rather see a French or a Latvian or whatever land on the Moon than three people getting really close. But I guess that's just me.
I would rather see a French or a Latvian or whatever land on the Moon than three people getting really close. But I guess that's just me.
November 27, 2025 at 11:35 PM
You're right, that's not how it works but you end up with less overall because of it.
I would rather see a French or a Latvian or whatever land on the Moon than three people getting really close. But I guess that's just me.
I would rather see a French or a Latvian or whatever land on the Moon than three people getting really close. But I guess that's just me.
That was not the main point but sure. :)
November 27, 2025 at 10:55 PM
That was not the main point but sure. :)
Ok, Starship was suborbital and only a test but I had similar thoughts in June 2024.
Exciting times!
Spaceships currently in orbit: 9
Cargo and Crew (hopefully)
#Starship
Crew:
#Starliner
Crew Dragon 8
Soyuz MS-26
Shenzhou 18
Cargo:
Cygnus NG-20
Progress MS-25
Progress MS-26
Tianzhou 7
Plus two manned spacestations:
ISS
Tiangong
Spaceships currently in orbit: 9
Cargo and Crew (hopefully)
#Starship
Crew:
#Starliner
Crew Dragon 8
Soyuz MS-26
Shenzhou 18
Cargo:
Cygnus NG-20
Progress MS-25
Progress MS-26
Tianzhou 7
Plus two manned spacestations:
ISS
Tiangong
November 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Ok, Starship was suborbital and only a test but I had similar thoughts in June 2024.
What about the other two? Will they also only go around the Moon in the Orion space capsule and/or the Lunar Gateway, the NASA-ESA-JAXA-CSA space station in lunar orbit (if its not cancelled)?
That would mean, no European is landing on the Moon anytime soon? That would be disappointing!
That would mean, no European is landing on the Moon anytime soon? That would be disappointing!
November 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
What about the other two? Will they also only go around the Moon in the Orion space capsule and/or the Lunar Gateway, the NASA-ESA-JAXA-CSA space station in lunar orbit (if its not cancelled)?
That would mean, no European is landing on the Moon anytime soon? That would be disappointing!
That would mean, no European is landing on the Moon anytime soon? That would be disappointing!
*call ... speaking of typos ;)
November 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
*call ... speaking of typos ;)
2026 should be a ... let's called it a typo. 🙈
November 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
2026 should be a ... let's called it a typo. 🙈
It's not only due to current contributions but also past contributions. I would also suggest contributions to ESM and Lunar Gateway play a more important part than other contributions. ESM is produced in Bremen.
November 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
It's not only due to current contributions but also past contributions. I would also suggest contributions to ESM and Lunar Gateway play a more important part than other contributions. ESM is produced in Bremen.
called EOGS (or Earth Observation Governmental Services).
This programme has also been criticized by some notable member states. Not sure, whether things will change during the next year.
This programme has also been criticized by some notable member states. Not sure, whether things will change during the next year.
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
called EOGS (or Earth Observation Governmental Services).
This programme has also been criticized by some notable member states. Not sure, whether things will change during the next year.
This programme has also been criticized by some notable member states. Not sure, whether things will change during the next year.
With the next EU budget and the new space budget of the German defense ministry, I am not sure 10 will do the job, even without Kuiper.
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
With the next EU budget and the new space budget of the German defense ministry, I am not sure 10 will do the job, even without Kuiper.
It needs to be changed. We need to distribute power in a world that exists today, not the world that existed in 1945. That is the best way for us to drive multilateralism and get it back on track. Thank you very much."
6/6
6/6
November 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
It needs to be changed. We need to distribute power in a world that exists today, not the world that existed in 1945. That is the best way for us to drive multilateralism and get it back on track. Thank you very much."
6/6
6/6
I think the West should understand that the multilateral institutions that were created after World War II and that were upheld after the Cold War, the power structure of them is right now unfair.
5/n
5/n
November 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I think the West should understand that the multilateral institutions that were created after World War II and that were upheld after the Cold War, the power structure of them is right now unfair.
5/n
5/n
My biggest worry right now is that we are not seeing enough multilateralism ...
And let me say, coming from a small country, what I believe the West should do in this.
4/n
And let me say, coming from a small country, what I believe the West should do in this.
4/n
November 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
My biggest worry right now is that we are not seeing enough multilateralism ...
And let me say, coming from a small country, what I believe the West should do in this.
4/n
And let me say, coming from a small country, what I believe the West should do in this.
4/n