A new era of space flight: ESA’s partnership with private companies takes off

SpaceX launched Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket, for the third time on Thursday. The spacecraft is an essential part of NASA’s Artemis programme, a partnership that embodies a concept known as “new space” or privatised space flight. The European Space Agency is following NASA’s lead and has entered this new era of the space race, partnering with private companies and startups to get its missions off the ground. We take a closer look at the French companies making innovations and technological leaps in this industry. FRANCE 24’s Sylvain Rousseau reports, with Lauren Bain.