Germany is expanding its defense strategy beyond Earth, with a planned €35 billion ($41 billion) investment in military space capabilities. The program aims to strengthen cybersecurity, satellite communications, early‑warning systems and independent space operations for the Bundeswehr, underscoring how critical orbit has become for national security.

A key beneficiary is German satellite manufacturer OHB, now one of Europe's leading aerospace companies. Together with defence giants Airbus and Rheinmetall, OHB is set to help build a national military satellite network comparable to SpaceX's Starlink. The push comes amid rising cyber threats and lessons from the war in Ukraine, which highlighted how vulnerable modern societies are to attacks on space‑based infrastructure.

While the government says the investment will modernize Germany's armed forces and boost high‑tech innovation, critics warn that many space startups remain sidelined. As geopolitical tensions intensify and cyberattacks surge, Germany's move is also a signal of growing competition in orbit — and a bid for greater European strategic autonomy in space.

This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.