Europe is largely missing from all races. It’s not just the Moon:
- Launcher technology one generation behind renders certain mission architechtures fully impossible, like those based on single-launch super heavy payloads (apollo-like missions), those requiring cheap launches (constellations, in orbit assemblies, in orbit refueling-based architechtures)
- Total absence of reentry technology makes impossible to return any kind of cargo from orbit, including humans, and renders impossible any landing attempt on a planet that has atmosphere (like Mars)
- No RTG technology that renders any exploratiin mission farther than Mars extremely challenging, and farther than Jupiter fully impossible.
- Onboard Computer technologies also 1 generation (if not more) behind, renders impossible to implement complex autonomous behaviors on European spacecraft. Our spacecraft need to be supervised almost 24/7 cause there are unreasonably stupid.