Brussels: Today, the European Commission has proposed the EU Space Act, a new set of measures aimed at making Europe’s space sector cleaner, safer, and more competitive both within Europe and in export markets.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the current fragmented national approaches to space regulation in Europe hinder innovation, reduce market share, and increase costs. The EU Space Act seeks to establish a harmonized framework to ensure safety, resilience, and environmental responsibility across the Union, while facilitating growth and cross-border scaling for companies.
The proposed EU Space Act is built on three key pillars: safety, resilience, and sustainability. With the number of satellites projected to increase significantly, the Act introduces measures for improved tracking of space objects and mandates safe satellite disposal to mitigate the risk of collisions and cascading crashes. It also addresses cybersecurity threats and electronic interference, requiring space operators to conduct risk assessments and apply sector-specific cybersecurity rules. To promote sustainability, the Act sets common rules for measuring environmental impacts and encourages innovation to extend satellite life and reduce debris.
The EU Space Act will apply to both EU and national space assets, as well as non-EU operators offering services in Europe. The regulatory requirements will be tailored to company size and maturity, with support offered to mitigate potential costs, especially for start-ups and SMEs. Additionally, the European Commission has presented a Vision for the European Space Economy to address global competition and geopolitical tensions, emphasizing space’s role in the EU’s competitiveness.
The legislative proposal is subject to negotiations in the European Parliament and the Council. The Commission will work closely with EU Member States, the EU Agency for the Space Programme, the European Space Agency, and other space partners to implement the actions outlined in the Vision. A ‘Space Team Europe’ will be established to unite European space-related excellence and capacities. By 2025, the Commission plans to develop a methodology to monitor the EU’s competitiveness in the space sector.