ESA Urges Europe to Take Control of Space Supply Chain

At the Pretzel Connect 2026 press event in Budapest, ESA future space transportation propulsion architect Kate Underhill said Europe must strengthen control over its supply chain for future launch systems and the space industry.

• ESA flagged Europe's reliance on external suppliers of space components
• The focus was on future propulsion systems and launch vehicles
• The remarks came at Pretzel Connect 2026 in Budapest