Why does Rory Stewart back the EU reserving satellite spectrum for European companies?

Rory Stewart calls the EU the only part of Europe thinking systematically about US dependence, and backs its plan to reserve radio spectrum so European companies can talk to their own satellites instead of selling it to American or Chinese firms. He says the US would never surrender that kind of sovereignty itself. He accuses Musk of getting the US ambassador to threaten repercussions, and says Europe has to accept that cost.

• Alastair Campbell cites a figure that 85% of objects in orbit are controlled by Musk.
• Stewart mentions reports of a Russian satellite manoeuvring alongside a large American one.

▸In their words

“85% of the objects flying around space at the moment are controlled by Musk.” Alastair Campbell · at 11:04 — open in the transcript →

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on The Rest Is Politics (2026-10-20). Read the whole episode summary →

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