US space firms including SpaceX and Blue Origin pull out of Paris summit

France's Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space announced on Thursday that four United States companies have cancelled their participation in a space exploration summit set to take place in Paris next week. Among the companies that decided not to attend are two of the most prominent players in the private space sector — Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

The ministry did not explain the specific reasons behind the companies' decision to withdraw. The identities of the other two US companies that joined this decision were also not disclosed.

The summit had been planned as an international event bringing together industry representatives, government delegations and researchers to discuss developments in space exploration and related issues. The withdrawal of these two well-known US companies is notable given their significant roles in the modern space sector — SpaceX is one of the leading providers of rocket launch and satellite deployment services, while Blue Origin is developing both orbital and suborbital flight projects.

There is currently no public information on whether the summit's organisers plan to respond to the companies' withdrawal or adjust the event's programme in any way. The French ministry did not provide further details on next steps in its announcement.