To what extent have European space institutions contributed to the construction of European collective identity? Using Martha Finnemore's and Kathryn Sikkink's model for the norm life cycle, this paper tracks the progress of the idea that European states ought to proceed as "Europeans" in space policy. Although the debate is far from complete, there is historical evidence to suggest that the idea is approaching a stage of norm acceptance among European space states. A constructivist analysis of European space history helps to understand the driving forces behind this process, and why one might suspect the idea of "Europe" is gaining ground. As European states have learned to behave as "Europeans," there has been a positive effect on the construction of European collective identity.