Europe’s future in space really boils down to one question: can it stay ahead without relying on technology made somewhere else? As we step into what experts call the “second space age,” strategic autonomy is suddenly front and center for the European Union. And it is increasingly essential that Europe can get to, control and protect its own space systems — no strings attached.

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Lt. Col. Mihail Istvanovics Várdai is the head of the Hungarian Ministry of Defence, Defence Policy Department, Arms Control Unit