China, Europe and the U.S. Struggle for Satellite Supremacy
The saga over who owns a German satellite operator demonstrates how quickly Western attitudes to Chinese investment have changed.
A satellite being launched on board an Ariane 5 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, August 6, 2019. Credit: European Space Agency
The battle for control over vital communications satellites orbiting space has sparked a long-running corporate drama back on Earth which — though centered around the tiny European country of Liechtenstein — demonstrates the intense rivalry and mutual distrust between China and the U.S. and Europe.
Last month, the German government blocked a Chinese consortium’s efforts to gain full control of Kleo Connect, a local firm which had plans to launch this decade the sort of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites that could greatly enhance global communications, but which also have important potential military uses.
In its 47-page decision, reviewed by The Wire, Germany’s ministry for economic affairs declared that the move by the Chinese investors to fully acquire a strategically important technology posed a risk to the country’s national security.
There is increasing skepticism, if not suspicion, in the way the Chinese are investing in Europe — to what end, and what is it t
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