To infinity and beyond! Europe is paving the way into space with the EU Space Act

The European Commission has announced the EU Space Act, a new set of legislation to make Europe’s space sector cleaner, safer, and more competitive.

Europe’s space rules are currently fragmented, with many different national approaches. This splintered approach is holding back innovation, reducing Europe’s market share, and creating additional costs.

That’s where the EU Space Act comes along.

The EU Space Act is a legislative initiative by the European Commission that introduces a harmonized framework for space activities across the Union. The proposal aims to ensure safety, resilience, and environmental sustainability, while boosting the competitiveness of the EU space sector.

The goal of the legislation is to protect space assets orbiting Earth and create a fair, predictable playing field for businesses.

Approximately 11,000 satellites are currently in orbit, with an additional 50,000 expected to launch over the next decade. At the same time, more than 128 million pieces of debris are circulating in space, increasing the risk of collisions. The EU Space Act aims to improve the tracking of space objects and limit new debris.

Cyberattacks on space infrastructures like ground stations and communication links have become more common. The EU Space Act requires all space operators to conduct risk assessments throughout a satellite’s lifecycle.

Lastly, as space activities grow, the EU Space Act aims to reduce its carbon footprint and support sustainability. To achieve this, the EU will set rules to measure these impacts.

“A space revolution is coming. The 21st century will be the century of space. Europe needs to be at the forefront. Let us embark on this extraordinary journey for our autonomy, resilience and competitiveness,” Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Europe’s leadership in space must be rooted in sovereignty, security, and strategic foresight. With the EU Space Act we are taking a bold step to ensure that our space infrastructure is resilient, our innovation ecosystem is empowered, and our autonomy in critical technologies is secured for generations to come,” Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, commented on the proposal.