‘No substitute’: Europe’s battle to break Elon Musk’s stranglehold on the skies
Brussels wants to create a homegrown alternative to Starlink with satellite groups such as Eutelsat
Luxembourg-bases SES is one of Europe’s big three satellite companies. © Photo credit: SES
Peggy Hollinger, Euan Healy and Barney Jopson
11:48
Europe is proposing to fund a homegrown alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink, following US threats to switch off the dominant satellite company’s broadband services in Ukraine.
Most read PremiumIs Luxembourg ready to rethink homeownership?Millions in aid for Luxembourg start-upsPremiumEuropean travellers reconsider US trips amid border dramaArt and jewellery reportedly stolen from Prince Guillaume's home Where to try Mexican and Peruvian foodHow Luxembourg can counter the burnout epidemic among employeesLuxembourg under pressure in cross-border investment fund marketRecommended for you
Want to continue reading?
As a subscriber you have unlimited access to all LT+ articles.
Choose the one that suits you best to read
1 month premium access
€14.00 / month
€3.50 / week
Get access to all articlesGet access to exclusive business and politics newsGet access to some of the best stories from Bloomberg and the Financial TimesGet the Luxembourg Times magazine
Unlock Access
Most popular
12 months premium access
€146.00 / year
€2.81 / week
Get access to all articlesGet access to exclusive business and politics newsGet access to some of the best stories from Bloomberg and the Financial TimesGet the Luxembourg Times magazine
Unlock Access
Already a subscriber? Login here
Read more
This photo provided by NASA shows support teams working around a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft shortly after it landed with NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov aboard in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, March 18, 2025. (Photo by Keegan BARBER / NASA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / NASA / Keegan Barber" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTSSpace travelNasa astronauts stuck in space back on Earth after 286 daysPair arrived at the ISS last June on a Boeing spacecraft with plans to spend a week in space, but that turned into nine months
Array of satellite signal receiving dishes on the grounds of SES in BetzdorfMilitary spendingPremiumLuxembourg satellite giant SES seeks deeper ties to PentagonCompany’s board of directors rejects idea of cutting out Luxembourg state backing and influence
Luxembourg-based SES already offers services to Ukraine. But recent events have "intensified" the talks, says the satellite operator's CEO.Satellite allianceSES participates in replacement for Ukraine’s Starlink networkEurope is endeavouring to offer Ukraine alternatives to the Starlink broadband satellite network - Luxembourg’s SES is involved in the efforts
The future of Starlink’s operation in Ukraine has been called into question following recent US decisions over aidUkrainePremiumEuropean rival to Musk’s Starlink in talks to boost satellite services to UkraineDiscussions come as investors bet that Eutelsat could replace US competitor
Defence Minister Yuriko Backes, pictured in 2024 together with army chief of staff General Steve Thull. Luxembourg plans to spend more money on satellite capabilities to boost its defence spendingExclusivePremiumGovSat-2: Luxembourg lines up next military satelliteIn bid to boost military spending, the government is due to present plans to lawmakers for another military satellite
Luxembourg’s government has played a central role in SES since its foundation in the 1980sSpacePremiumShareholder calls for smaller Luxembourg government role in SESAppaloosa, which owns just over 7% of satellite pioneer, submits proposals to alter relationship which has existed since firm’s foundation
SES O3b mPower satellites are launched aboard a SpaceX rocket in December 2022Space profitsPremiumUnder-pressure SES logged small profit last year, reversing 2023 lossLuxembourg’s satellite giant reported lower revenue and cash from operations
Space pioneerPremiumLuxembourg’s SES hurt by ‘negative’ outlook from Moody’s Credit rating agency adds to doubts that satellite pioneer will prosper through building competition
Advertiser contentMore
Sponsored contentHouse building made easyAntonissen unites high quality and reliability.
Advertiser contentCK Fitness : Building a Community Beyond FitnessAt CK Fitness, we understand the impact that community can have on an individual’s journey towards health and physical and mental well-being.
Advertiser contentCar insurance in Luxembourg: what you need to knowCar insurance is much more than just a formality.