Inserts:

00:03 Report / Alexa Meyer
00:37 Hélène Huby / CEO, The Exploration Company
01:14 Josef Aschbacher / Director General, European Space Agency 
01:53 Will Marshall / CEO, Planet Labs

Script:

+++SYN REIN+++

This is Nyx--a reusable logistics capsule for use in outer space. It's the flagship project of the Munich-based Exploration Company. 

From 20-28, the capsule will deliver freight to space stations like the ISS. Eventually, the plan is to transport passengers. The project was founded four years ago and now employs 350 people at various sites in Germany, France, and Italy. The company works closely with a number of organisations, including the European Space Agency and NASA in the US.

So -- could this become a blueprint for European growth in the flourishing space economy?

((TC: 00:35 SOT: Hélène Huby  CEO, The Exploration Company))

"We're building the first European space capsule. It's also the world's biggest space capsule. And it's designed to be fully reusable ... We're financing 50 percent of the development costs with private investors. And we're getting the other half from countries like Germany, France, Italy, and so on."

TC: 00:57 
An increasing number of space technology companies are launching in Europe. They want to capitalize on this growing market:
One study has forecast nine-percent annual growth in the space economy.

But Europe is still lagging behind in this growth market.

((TC: 01:11 SOT Josef Aschbacher, European Space Agency Director General))
"The global space economy today is worth about 120 billion Euros per  year - that's last year's figure. The United States accounts for  61%,  China 15% and Europe 10%......10% is below Europe's potential.  Europe could have a share of 20,30% or even more in terms of industrial excellence. That is what we should achieve, of course gradually. What we should aim for."

The US company Planet Labs has announced that it wants to invest 45 million Euros in its Berlin site to build satellites for the whole world.

((TC: 01:52  SOT Will Marshall,  CEO Planet Labs))
"Germany has exercised decisive leadership in bringing technologies like this to Europe. In particular, to promote European peace and security."

TC: 02:02 
There is general agreement at the Space Congress in Berlin that European governments need to invest more money in the space sector. Germany plans to spend €35 billion on space projects in the next five years. The next generation of space explorers are already getting ready for lift-off.