The European Space Agency (ESA) published on Sept 22 a strategic document called The Call that prioritizes securing Europe's independent access to low Earth orbit after the International Space Station ends, strengthening its presence on and around the Moon through international cooperation and targeted autonomy, and using both as stepping stones toward future Mars exploration.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said on Sept 9 that the International Space Summit had marked an important step in shaping a common European vision, adding that Europe has started a course toward greater autonomy in low Earth orbit, a stronger role in lunar exploration, and a more competitive space sector while remaining a reliable partner.

The strategy comes as orbital traffic grows: ESA reports that about 17,000 tons of space debris currently orbit Earth, and more than 300 launches in 2025 placed over 4,000 new payloads into orbit. The agency is developing the ClearSpace-1 mission to capture a defunct object and steer it into a controlled reentry.

The United States is pursuing an expanded lunar presence with interest in the Moon's south polar region, where permanently shadowed areas are believed to contain water ice. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Sept 17 that the joint force must be prepared to operate from the seabed to cislunar space. China is working toward sending astronauts to the Moon and establishing a longer-term presence there.