GENEVA 

The German government on Wednesday adopted a new space strategy that focuses on promoting private-sector initiatives in space.

A strategy paper, prepared by the German Economy Ministry under the leadership of Greens Party politician Robert Habeck, also calls for combating climate change and acting responsibly and sustainably in connection with space travel.

Germany faces new tasks "in order to continue to remain a strong and innovative space location," according to the space strategy.

To meet these challenges, Berlin wants to focus on a European competition for launchers, a Space Innovation Hub, and international partnerships.

The strategy paper also mentions the global dimension in space. The paper explicitly mentions Canada, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, which, according to the German government, have been continuously expanding their space activities for years and are, therefore, interesting cooperation partners.

“China has enormously expanded its space commitment both in the civilian and the military sector. China and the United States have entered a new race for leadership in space, astronautical spaceflight, and a return to the moon,” according to the strategy paper.

Bilateral cooperation with Russia has not been possible since the beginning of "its war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law," the paper continues.

“Space literally seems very far away to many people, yet it is central to our security, the protection of our planet, and our daily lives,” Anna Christmann, the German government's coordinator for German aerospace, wrote in a press release Wednesday.

She added: “The challenges of the 21st century also require 21st-century technologies.”