From founding SES in 1985 to becoming the first European country to legalise space resource ownership, Luxembourg has steadily grown into a pioneering force in the global space economy.

When we think of spacefaring nations, Luxembourg may not be the first that comes to mind. Yet the Grand Duchy has quietly established itself as one of the most forward-thinking players in the global space industry. Through visionary policies, strategic investments, and international collaboration, Luxembourg is playing a growing role in space exploration, research, and innovation.

The story began in 1985, when Luxembourg launched its first major initiative in the space sector with the founding of SES (Société Européenne des Satellites). This bold step laid the groundwork for a broader vision: using space as a platform for economic diversification and future-oriented development.

Over time, SES became one of the world's largest satellite operators, providing essential communication infrastructure from its base in Betzdorf. Today, it continues to innovate with initiatives like O3b mPOWER, a next-generation satellite constellation designed to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to users worldwide.

Building on this momentum, Luxembourg's government moved decisively to position the country as a legal and economic hub for the space industry. In 2016, it launched the SpaceResources.lu initiative, aimed at promoting the sustainable use of space resources.

The following year, it became the first European country and the second in the world to adopt legislation allowing companies to own resources extracted from space. This legal framework helped attract global attention and investment, especially from companies focused on space mining, in-orbit servicing, and satellite data applications.

Rather than developing a traditional space agency with a focus on rockets and spacecraft, Luxembourg established the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) in 2018 with a more business-oriented mission: to support commercial activities and innovation in space.

By 2023, LSA was supporting over seventy companies and research organisations, employing more than 1,400 people and contributing around 2% to the national GDP.

Another cornerstone of Luxembourg's strategy is research and innovation. In 2020, the country partnered with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) to create the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC).

The centre has quickly become a reference point in Europe for technologies linked to in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU), the use of materials found on the Moon or other celestial bodies to support human and robotic missions.

Luxembourg's startup ecosystem reflects this spirit of innovation. The government has committed over €200 million to space ventures, attracting companies such as Made In Space Europe, Hydrosat, and Kleos Space. These firms contribute to a growing portfolio that spans Earth observation, in-orbit manufacturing, and asteroid prospecting. Public-private collaboration is central to this success, creating a fertile ground where ideas can move quickly from concept to reality.

The country's space ambitions are further supported by an expanding network of international agreements. Luxembourg was among the first signatories of the Artemis Accords, aligning itself with NASA and other global partners in promoting peaceful and transparent space exploration.

It has also signed bilateral cooperation agreements with countries including the United States, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Portugal, reinforcing its role as a credible and engaged partner on the international stage.

Luxembourg's influence even reaches the Moon, ispace Europe, the EU branch of the Japanese lunar exploration company ispace Inc., is headquartered in Luxembourg and has been supported by national investment funds. The company is developing lunar infrastructure and prospecting technologies and has already launched its first lunar lander missions as part of the HAKUTO-R programme.

Education and public engagement are also vital pillars of Luxembourg's space vision. The University of Luxembourg and LIST collaborate on research in remote sensing, materials science, and data analytics, offering students internships with LSA, ESRIC, and SES.

Programmes such as Asteroid Day and other outreach initiatives encourage early interest in space and STEM education. Meanwhile, the Luxembourg Science Center in Differdange welcomes visitors with over one hundred interactive exhibits, including a state-of-the-art planetarium that offers immersive journeys across the cosmos.

Looking ahead, Luxembourg's ambition is as expansive as space itself. A 2021 government projection estimated that space activities could represent up to 5% of the country's GDP by 2045, a bold but credible target considering the current momentum. According to the Luxembourg Space Agency: "We are building a framework where Luxembourg can continue to be a space pioneer, not by launching rockets, but by enabling solutions that sustain life, preserve Earth, and support deep space exploration."

In other words, Luxembourg is not racing to space, it is building the foundation for those who will. With laws, infrastructure, and a thriving ecosystem in place, the Grand Duchy is quietly shaping the future of space from the ground up.

Adriano Anfuso is a photographer and digital creator who is passionate about capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos and Earth's wonders. You can check out his work here.