SPACE PP

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

The Council of the European Union (EU) approved the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT?

The strategic nature of space was confirmed.

A number of responses to the upcoming challenges in this domain were identified to preserve the position of the EU as a global space power.

An attack in the space domain could amount to armed aggression and thus constitute grounds to invoke the mutual assistance clause of Article 42(7) of the EU Treaty.*

A number of related ongoing initiatives were supported and new actions proposed.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

The following was welcome, decided and /or proposed:

In terms of launchers

To ensure sufficient launch facilities in the EU, including launchpads supporting the EU and its Member States’ autonomous access to space
To boost innovative, reliable, and versatile EU launcher systems, in cooperation with the ESA
To explore potential ways of mutualising the demand for European launch services

In terms of space threats

To increase the EU’s understanding of space threats by a yearly classified analysis and the strengthening of military and civilian intelligence services on space security, with public and private actors
To create a toolbox for EU joint responses and space security and defence training exercises

In terms of international law and guiding principles

To reiterate commitment to international law and the values and guiding principles developed in the United Nations framework
To continue working to establish new related norms and guidance
To be transparent about space security strategies, doctrines, and policies

In terms of actions

To assess the development of new EU earth observation governmental service
To enhance the resilience of EU space assets and the ability to detect and identify hostile and irresponsible behaviors
To reinforce the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) and support the EU Space Programme Agency (EUSPA) including in its space security monitoring role
To explore the development of additional services within the IRIS2, including for security and defence purposes
To enhance cooperation between start-ups and established industrial players and inclusion of SMEs
To reinforce the technological sovereignty and competitiveness of the EU space sector

In terms of acknowledgement and support

The EC intention to propose a EU space law to define common standards and promote of responsible behaviors in space
The proposal to establish the EU Space Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) in 2024, with the support of EUSPA
The Defence Innovation Scheme
The CASSINI space entrepreneurship initiative
The mapping of space security and defence educational and training activities by the EDA
The establishment of a structured dialogue on space between the EU and NATO
To integrate the space dimension into the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations
To reinforce the Space Threat Response Architecture
The exchange of best practice
The EU Space Academy and a large-scale partnership on skills
That the decision to attribute any space threat to a specific third-state actor and/or to share domain awareness (SDA) information is a sovereign and voluntary decision by each Member State

Next steps

The Strategy will be implemented by the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

*similar to Article 5 of the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty, considered the cornerstone of the NATO Alliance