Rafael Mentges
@mentges.bsky.social
Space Economist. Interested in European Integration, industrial policy, innovation, strategic sovereignty, and of course things like launchers, SatCom, EO ...
I have another profile focused more on my old interests: Macro, monetary policy and banking.
I have another profile focused more on my old interests: Macro, monetary policy and banking.
Pinned
Rafael Mentges
@mentges.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Ok, here is an updated version of my space policy starter pack.
Let's make #BlueSpace the best platform for space news, space econ and space law discussions.
@sharestuff.bsky.social
go.bsky.app/PRWt1qf
Let's make #BlueSpace the best platform for space news, space econ and space law discussions.
@sharestuff.bsky.social
go.bsky.app/PRWt1qf
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
EXCLSUVIE: The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules and shared them with the companies they're meant to regulate, without making the new rules publicly available.
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules
The rewrite was done to speed up the construction of a new generation of nuclear reactors. Critics warn it could compromise safety and public trust.
www.npr.org
January 28, 2026 at 10:23 AM
EXCLSUVIE: The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules and shared them with the companies they're meant to regulate, without making the new rules publicly available.
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
Not sure how this is meant. Capabilities, not profits is not a business strategy that works long-term.
2/3
I strongly support the call by President Macron to industry: Please deliver. Please invest in production potential, in order to avoid delays.
Capabilities, not profits, - what matter most now and will matter in the coming years.
#SAFE
I strongly support the call by President Macron to industry: Please deliver. Please invest in production potential, in order to avoid delays.
Capabilities, not profits, - what matter most now and will matter in the coming years.
#SAFE
January 28, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Not sure how this is meant. Capabilities, not profits is not a business strategy that works long-term.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
#SAFE investments in defence brought historic opportunity for EU defence industry.
But first SAFE is for the needs of customers, of our defence.
Our customers are defence ministers and generals.
#EUDefence
1/3 🧵⬇️
But first SAFE is for the needs of customers, of our defence.
Our customers are defence ministers and generals.
#EUDefence
1/3 🧵⬇️
January 28, 2026 at 10:25 AM
#SAFE investments in defence brought historic opportunity for EU defence industry.
But first SAFE is for the needs of customers, of our defence.
Our customers are defence ministers and generals.
#EUDefence
1/3 🧵⬇️
But first SAFE is for the needs of customers, of our defence.
Our customers are defence ministers and generals.
#EUDefence
1/3 🧵⬇️
Interesting cooperation in an uncertain market #OOS
Astroscale provides capabilities for rendevous and proximity operations.
Exotrail provides enhanced propulsion to improve mobility and allow to serve multiple customers.
#ISOS
Astroscale provides capabilities for rendevous and proximity operations.
Exotrail provides enhanced propulsion to improve mobility and allow to serve multiple customers.
#ISOS
Exotrail and Astroscale France join forces to build deorbiting capability for LEO
Exotrail and Astroscale France join forces to build deorbiting capability for LEO
spacenews.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Great work. I would love to see a replication of this for European countries. Anglo-Saxon academia is famously classist.
📢now forthcoming in ECMA!
The Class Gap in Career Progression: Evidence from US Academia
Class is rarely a focus of research or DEI in elite US occupations.
Evidence suggests it should be: we find a large class gap in at least one occupation - tenure-track academia...🧵
The Class Gap in Career Progression: Evidence from US Academia
Class is rarely a focus of research or DEI in elite US occupations.
Evidence suggests it should be: we find a large class gap in at least one occupation - tenure-track academia...🧵
January 28, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Great work. I would love to see a replication of this for European countries. Anglo-Saxon academia is famously classist.
"The Space Force, established six years ago, currently has about 10,000 uniformed service members and roughly 5,000 civilians."
I had no idea they are that big. Makes you wonder what all of them are doing. I mean, there are no troops in space.
Also they want to double these numbers.
I had no idea they are that big. Makes you wonder what all of them are doing. I mean, there are no troops in space.
Also they want to double these numbers.
As satellites become targets, Space Force plans for growth and a broader role
As satellites become targets, Space Force plans for growth and a broader role As satellites become targets, Space Force plans for growth and a broader role
spacenews.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:44 PM
"The Space Force, established six years ago, currently has about 10,000 uniformed service members and roughly 5,000 civilians."
I had no idea they are that big. Makes you wonder what all of them are doing. I mean, there are no troops in space.
Also they want to double these numbers.
I had no idea they are that big. Makes you wonder what all of them are doing. I mean, there are no troops in space.
Also they want to double these numbers.
Intersting piece on Vega and the launcher market.
Vega is pivoting — or Vega is being bypassed?
Avio races to recover decades of lost launcher initiatives. Will it make it in time?
www.thespacerepublic.news
January 27, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Intersting piece on Vega and the launcher market.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research has selected Vega C to launch its Amazonia-1B Earth observation satellite in 2027.
europeanspaceflight.com/brazils-amaz...
europeanspaceflight.com/brazils-amaz...
Brazil’s Amazonia-1B Satellite to Be Launched Aboard Vega C - European Spaceflight
Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research has selected Vega C to launch its Amazonia-1B Earth observation satellite in 2027.
europeanspaceflight.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research has selected Vega C to launch its Amazonia-1B Earth observation satellite in 2027.
europeanspaceflight.com/brazils-amaz...
europeanspaceflight.com/brazils-amaz...
Interesting job:
Space Economy Statistics Consultant
Create a national system for Brazil to measure how space activities impact the economy and society, covering market size, jobs, GDP, productivity, and social benefits, aligned with global best practice and Brazil’s needs.
Space Economy Statistics Consultant
Create a national system for Brazil to measure how space activities impact the economy and society, covering market size, jobs, GDP, productivity, and social benefits, aligned with global best practice and Brazil’s needs.
UN Careers
United Nations
careers.un.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Interesting job:
Space Economy Statistics Consultant
Create a national system for Brazil to measure how space activities impact the economy and society, covering market size, jobs, GDP, productivity, and social benefits, aligned with global best practice and Brazil’s needs.
Space Economy Statistics Consultant
Create a national system for Brazil to measure how space activities impact the economy and society, covering market size, jobs, GDP, productivity, and social benefits, aligned with global best practice and Brazil’s needs.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
C'est mon avis personnel, hein, ça ne compte pas beaucoup et peut-être que je me trompe très fort.
Mais alors je trouve que c'est un choix catastrophique.
Mais alors je trouve que c'est un choix catastrophique.
La start-up franco-allemande The Exploration Company, qui développe une capsule de fret pour desservir les stations spatiales, est en négociations exclusives pour racheter le britannique Orbex, qui développe le micro-lanceur Prime
Après les capsules spatiales, l’ambitieuse start-up The Exploration Company vise le marché des lanceurs
La start-up franco-allemande The Exploration Company, qui développe une capsule de fret pour desservir les stations spatiales, est en négociations exclusives pour racheter le britannique Orbex, qui dé...
www.challenges.fr
January 23, 2026 at 10:58 AM
C'est mon avis personnel, hein, ça ne compte pas beaucoup et peut-être que je me trompe très fort.
Mais alors je trouve que c'est un choix catastrophique.
Mais alors je trouve que c'est un choix catastrophique.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
ESA and EU Commission prepare four in-orbit demonstrator missions for future intel/reconnaisance network www.spaceintelreport.com/esa-and-eu-c...
ESA and EU Commission prepare four in-orbit demonstrator missions for future intel/reconnaisance network - Space Intel Report
BRUSSELS — The European Space Agency (ESA), freshly endowed by its member governments with a mandate…
www.spaceintelreport.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:09 PM
ESA and EU Commission prepare four in-orbit demonstrator missions for future intel/reconnaisance network www.spaceintelreport.com/esa-and-eu-c...
European space governance is complicated from ESA, EU (COM), EUMETSAT and EUSPA to national space agencies... If you are confused this new ESPI report might help:
www.espi.eu/reports/euro...
www.espi.eu/reports/euro...
January 26, 2026 at 11:09 AM
European space governance is complicated from ESA, EU (COM), EUMETSAT and EUSPA to national space agencies... If you are confused this new ESPI report might help:
www.espi.eu/reports/euro...
www.espi.eu/reports/euro...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
ECMWF at #AMS2026 today, Monday:
Becky Hemingway on early warning services, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 8:30 CST
Angel Lopez Alos on the ECMWF Data Stores Service, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 10:45 CST
Emma Pidduck on open weather and climate data, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 11:00 CST
Becky Hemingway on early warning services, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 8:30 CST
Angel Lopez Alos on the ECMWF Data Stores Service, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 10:45 CST
Emma Pidduck on open weather and climate data, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 11:00 CST
Join us at #AMS2026 for talks on open data, research in Earth system prediction, data-driven forecasting at ECMWF, Anemoi, sub-seasonal forecasts with the AIFS, and the emerging role of AI in weather forecasting.
Full programme ➡️ ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA...
@ametsoc.org
Full programme ➡️ ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA...
@ametsoc.org
January 26, 2026 at 10:42 AM
ECMWF at #AMS2026 today, Monday:
Becky Hemingway on early warning services, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 8:30 CST
Angel Lopez Alos on the ECMWF Data Stores Service, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 10:45 CST
Emma Pidduck on open weather and climate data, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 11:00 CST
Becky Hemingway on early warning services, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 8:30 CST
Angel Lopez Alos on the ECMWF Data Stores Service, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 10:45 CST
Emma Pidduck on open weather and climate data, ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA..., 11:00 CST
Rheinmetall and OHB in talks over Starlink-style service for German army
Interesting choice in many ways:
First of all, ICYMI, yes, Germany wants to build its own LEO Satcom constellation. What does that mean for IRIS²?
1/n
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Interesting choice in many ways:
First of all, ICYMI, yes, Germany wants to build its own LEO Satcom constellation. What does that mean for IRIS²?
1/n
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Rheinmetall and OHB in talks over Starlink-style service for German army
Tank producer negotiating with satellite company over bid for slice of country’s €35bn military space budget
giftarticle.ft.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Rheinmetall and OHB in talks over Starlink-style service for German army
Interesting choice in many ways:
First of all, ICYMI, yes, Germany wants to build its own LEO Satcom constellation. What does that mean for IRIS²?
1/n
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Interesting choice in many ways:
First of all, ICYMI, yes, Germany wants to build its own LEO Satcom constellation. What does that mean for IRIS²?
1/n
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
"The lack of military integration is Europe’s greatest weakness, made worse by Brexit and by the cost of the war in Ukraine. An integrated European defence mechanism within Nato is urgently needed."
💯
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
💯
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Greenland, America and the end of Atlanticism
Behind the crisis caused by Donald Trump’s threats is a much bigger change: the waning of US hegemony and the coming of a multi-polar age
giftarticle.ft.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:51 PM
"The lack of military integration is Europe’s greatest weakness, made worse by Brexit and by the cost of the war in Ukraine. An integrated European defence mechanism within Nato is urgently needed."
💯
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
💯
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Anscheinend ist die Bahnstrecke auf der linken Rheinseite zwischen Koblenz und Bonn schon wieder gesperrt. 🙄
Nachdem sie letztes Jahr mehrere Wochen gesperrt war könnte man doch annehmen, dass es danach besser läuft
Nachdem sie letztes Jahr mehrere Wochen gesperrt war könnte man doch annehmen, dass es danach besser läuft
January 25, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Anscheinend ist die Bahnstrecke auf der linken Rheinseite zwischen Koblenz und Bonn schon wieder gesperrt. 🙄
Nachdem sie letztes Jahr mehrere Wochen gesperrt war könnte man doch annehmen, dass es danach besser läuft
Nachdem sie letztes Jahr mehrere Wochen gesperrt war könnte man doch annehmen, dass es danach besser läuft
Imagine a Democratic government letting federal agents harass and shoot people in red states and weaponizing the judicial system against Republicans. The US would probably already be on the brink of a civil war.
I don't see that happening right now but the current situation is extremely dangerous.
I don't see that happening right now but the current situation is extremely dangerous.
January 25, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Imagine a Democratic government letting federal agents harass and shoot people in red states and weaponizing the judicial system against Republicans. The US would probably already be on the brink of a civil war.
I don't see that happening right now but the current situation is extremely dangerous.
I don't see that happening right now but the current situation is extremely dangerous.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
The NDS & extended deterrence. "Here you have the United States...stating rather openly that, actually, it would not be willing to trade “Paris for New York,” as De Gaulle once famously asked of Kennedy... the ripple effects of this will likely be severe."
panda.substack.com/p/a-note-on-...
panda.substack.com/p/a-note-on-...
A Note On the 2026 US National Defense Strategy and Extended Deterrence
What does the NDS have to say about nuclear weapons and the nuclear environment facing the United States? Turns out, not much.
panda.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:48 AM
The NDS & extended deterrence. "Here you have the United States...stating rather openly that, actually, it would not be willing to trade “Paris for New York,” as De Gaulle once famously asked of Kennedy... the ripple effects of this will likely be severe."
panda.substack.com/p/a-note-on-...
panda.substack.com/p/a-note-on-...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
This is long overdue. Starmer finally seems to understand that all potential Labour voters hate Trump. Appeasement hasn't worked at all and it just made him look weak.
BREAKING: Prime Minister Keir Starmer mocks the idea of Trumps board of peace
“Putin being on a board of peace? He is waging war on a European country"
“Putin being on a board of peace? He is waging war on a European country"
January 24, 2026 at 8:42 AM
This is long overdue. Starmer finally seems to understand that all potential Labour voters hate Trump. Appeasement hasn't worked at all and it just made him look weak.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
27. This report is an outcome of a roundtable held by ASPI and SMC in Adelaide, July 2025, where space sustainability and space logistics were key topics of discussion. I was a panelist at the roundtable - pleased to make a contribution!
🔭 #TabClosed2026
🔭 #TabClosed2026
Space logistics: why rules matter for safety, security and sustainability - ASPI
With space activities expanding at an unprecedented rate, driven in part by a growing number of commercial players, space logistics is becoming increasingly critical to ensure the sustainable use of space. Space logistics encompasses a range of activities, including the remote maintenance of satellites in orbit, delivering supplies to space stations and satellites—possibly in the […]
www.aspi.org.au
December 26, 2025 at 12:51 AM
27. This report is an outcome of a roundtable held by ASPI and SMC in Adelaide, July 2025, where space sustainability and space logistics were key topics of discussion. I was a panelist at the roundtable - pleased to make a contribution!
🔭 #TabClosed2026
🔭 #TabClosed2026
"The "hydrostatic pressure trial," according to a Rocket Lab statement, was meant to push the stage to its structural limit, but was not intended to destroy the vehicle."
Another episode in "space is hard". So no launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Another episode in "space is hard". So no launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Rocket Lab's new Neutron rocket suffers fuel tank rupture during test
The company plans to ready an update in time for a February earnings call with investors.
www.space.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:33 AM
"The "hydrostatic pressure trial," according to a Rocket Lab statement, was meant to push the stage to its structural limit, but was not intended to destroy the vehicle."
Another episode in "space is hard". So no launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Another episode in "space is hard". So no launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Could military strikes against Iran really topple the regime? Has anyone seen a good analysis?
I actually think this might be one of a few situations where limited strikes could indeed bring a change because of the weakness of the regime and how unpopular it is.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
I actually think this might be one of a few situations where limited strikes could indeed bring a change because of the weakness of the regime and how unpopular it is.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Donald Trump sends US armada towards Iran ‘just in case’
Naval forces dispatched to stop Tehran restarting nuclear programme or executing protesters, US president says
giftarticle.ft.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Could military strikes against Iran really topple the regime? Has anyone seen a good analysis?
I actually think this might be one of a few situations where limited strikes could indeed bring a change because of the weakness of the regime and how unpopular it is.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
I actually think this might be one of a few situations where limited strikes could indeed bring a change because of the weakness of the regime and how unpopular it is.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...