Introduction: Setting the Scene: Europe's Autonomy in Space -- European Autonomy and Policy: Strategic Autonomy in EU Space Policy - A Conceptual and Practical Exploration -- Autonomy and Dependence in Space Sciences -- Lessons for European Autonomy in Space from Past Pursuits of Energy Autonomy -- In Search of Shared Autonomy: the EU as a Restricted Foreign, Security and Defense Political Actor -- Europe's Space Security Contingencies and Preparedness -- The Pursuit of Collective Autonomy? Europe's Autonomy in "Space and Security" Lacks a Joint Vision -- European Autonomy and Space: The Need for European Independence in Space Applications -- European Access to Space: Factors of Autonomy -- European Autonomy in Space: Human Space Flight -- Technological Dependence.

The volume provides analyses and evaluations of the continuing importance of Europe's autonomy in its access to space as a key driver in the development of European space capabilities. From a detailed historical analysis of some of the pitfalls of dependence in the space industry, experts analyse the full range of current European space capabilities and identify areas where autonomy is both possible and required, even in a situation of severe budgetary constraints. The contributions present a comprehensive overview of European efforts in a broad range of areas including energy, culture, science, and security; access to space, space applications, human spaceflight, security and space situational awareness, and strategic issues. They make a cogent strategic and economic case for policy makers to continue to bear in mind the importance of autonomous space capabilities, even in an interdependent globalised world.