What’s happening?

The European Commission and the High Representative adopted the first-ever Joint Communication on a European Space Strategy for Security and Defence (the Strategy).

Why this is important?

In view of the importance of space for societies, the EU economy and as a key enabler for security and defence, the space domain is now clearly recognized as a strategic domain. As a result, the EU is taking action to defend its interests, deter hostile activities in space and strengthen its strategic posture and autonomy. The Strategy will have a long-term impact and could increase the synergies between space and defence and the technological sovereignty of the European Union. 

What's in it for you? / What are the next steps?

The Strategy proposes the following next steps and concrete actions to be implemented using existing budgets:

With respect to SPACE THREATS AND RELATED RESPONSES:

  • classified annual space threat landscape analysis
  • broadening of the scope of EU law on the security of the EU space program assets 

For instance, amendment of Decision 2021/698 to include responses to all relevant threats in the space domain

  • conducting space exercises to respond to space threats.

With respect to the PROTECTION OF SPACE SYSTEMS AND SERVICES:

  • The EC will consider proposing an EU Space Law, following public consultations and impact assessments. 

Such law could include common rules on space operations, including security aspects, enhance the resilience of space systems, ensure cross-border coordination and cooperation (for instance via the identification in each Member State of “essential” space systems and services) and establish an information exchange network (for instance about time security incidents that affect the space systems and could signal a space threat, via EUSPA).

  • an Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) will be established by end of 2023 (by the EC, with the support of EUSPA)

The ISAC could bring together relevant commercial and public entities such as New Space, SMEs and ESA and be involved in the exchange of best practices to strengthen resilience (upstream and downstream) capabilities, including cyber-related ones. 

  • capabilities to increase the resilience of space systems and services will be developed

including versatile and responsive launchers such as micro-launchers and reusable launchers (for instance, standardised interfaces between satellites and launch systems), self-protective infrastructure, SSA, in-orbit servicing and secured sovereign clouds. 

  • measures to address risks to security in the space sector will be taken

including an evaluation of the existing dual-use export control rules and of the Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) screening by October 2023 and possibly new export control requirements.

  • a roadmap to reduce strategic dependencies on critical technologies for space projects and programs will be adopted by mid- 2024
  • synergies and joint programming will be promoted

for instance between and for the European Defence Fund (for instance to develop payloads enabling services for defence or standardized interfaces to integrate land, sea and air vehicles), the EU Space Programme, IRIS² (for instance to establish an EU critical communications system) and Horizon Europe.

With respect to SPACE FOR SECURITY AND DEFENCE: 

  • development of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) sensors and capabilities

For instance to identify space objects, understand their behavior and the appropriate responses, including via a pilot by end of 2024 for the delivery of initial SDA services in support of EU response 

  • pilot project to expand the scope of Copernicus EO services to cover defence requirements
  • to consider military requirements when defining the service portfolio of IRIS² and future programs
  • incentivise collaborative work between space, security and defence start-ups to develop disruptive services for security and defence. 

For instance in the areas of quantum space gravimetry, on-orbit-services or access to space and by expanding the In-Orbit-Validation / In-Orbit-Demonstration programme to dual use technologies

  • fostering innovation and competitiveness 

For instance by encouraging New Space to scale up, increasing use of anchor-customer contracts, grants-loans-equity and space/defence hackathons. 

With respect to RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOURS IN SPACE: 

A number of actions to promote responsible behaviors in space will be undertaken such as promoting rules, principles and confidence-building instrument in international fora (for instance the UN and COPUOS), partnering on space security with the US (for instance on SSA), with NATO and with third countries.