However, the European space policy still does not promote a consistent and successful European space strategy. A first difficulty is to decide how to balance diversity and unity amongst European space-faring nations. Additionally, Europe must define reasons, goals, and above all values for its space program.

In order to outline possible future solutions, this paper reviews a series of significant case studies. It looks first at the motivation of different European actors: from the French model of autonomy to the British market-based model and the German cooperative model. It then considers different cooperation mechanisms: the ESA type, the EU type and the international program type.