Top space sector jurisdictions
Figure 3 indicates where the Cosmonautics patent families are first filed, using patent filing statistics for the top 10 jurisdictions from the previous 5 years. It is common to file the first patent application of a patent family in the jurisdiction where the applicant or inventor is based. In fact, this is often required, especially for space technology. Therefore, Figure 3 can be understood to broadly reflect the nationalities of the top filing applicants in the space sector.
China, Russia and the US dominate, as expected. It is worth noting, however, that Chinese entities are financially incentivised through state subsidies to file patent applications for their developments.
European entities are also shown to be significant contributors to space technology. Of the European jurisdictions, France and Germany appear to be particularly active. With blossoming space tech communities in the UK and with the UK topping global charts for private space investment outside the US, we expect the UK to grow in coming years.
Macroeconomic turbulence is likely to increase space tech action in Europe, particularly from an expected increase in national defence spending and defence prime activity. We expect correspondingly increased European patent activity in space tech. The publication cycle of patent applications means that this should begin to become visible in 2027 in the patent application publications.
Top European patent applicants in the space sector
Figure 4 indicates who the top European patent applicants are in the space sector.
Specifically, Figure 4 uses patent filing statistics from the previous 5 years to show the top applicants for patent families classified as relating to Cosmonautics, which were first filed at the European Patent Office or in a European Patent Convention (EPC) contracting state.
Figure 4 is reflective of the competition and versatility within the European space sector.
The top three applicants in Europe – Airbus, Thales and Ariane Group - are all European-based aerospace companies. As multinationals, they understand the value proposition and they have the resources to file patent applications at scale where appropriate. This is important information for those wishing to work with such companies.
Alcatel-Lucent, a telecommunications multinational, also features in the top applicants. There are an increasing number of diverse European entities, which are not predominantly aerospace companies, filing patent applications for cosmonautics – a result of the increasing diversification of the space sector.
Another interesting insight from Figure 4 is that the German aerospace centre and the French space agency are both present in the top applicants, demonstrating continued European government interest in space sector innovation.
© 2025 Mewburn Ellis
