Harmonising Europe’s Space Landscape for a Resilient Future
The European Commission has proposed the EU Space Act to consolidate Europe’s fragmented space governance into a unified framework. Currently, space activities across the EU are regulated through divergent national systems, causing inefficiencies that increase costs and reduce innovation. The Space Act introduces one rulebook that enables cross-border scalability, reduces administrative complexity, and levels the playing field for operators within and beyond the EU. By streamlining compliance across member states, the Act unlocks a single market that fosters competitiveness, particularly in global export opportunities. Alongside regulatory cohesion, the Act is embedded in a broader policy vision that positions space as an enabler of sustainable economic growth—impacting everything from climate monitoring to agricultural optimisation.
Safety and Cyber Resilience in an Expanding Orbital Economy
The Act is built on three pillars: safety, resilience, and sustainability. As of today, over 11,000 satellites are already in orbit, and a projected 50,000 more are expected by 2035. This increase, alongside more than 128 million pieces of debris, creates an urgent need for orbital management. The Act mandates strict measures for safe satellite disposal and the use of collision avoidance systems supported by shared positional data. This not only reduces the risk of collisions but also extends satellite lifespans and decreases the need for corrective manoeuvres. In parallel, cyber threats are rising sharply. The Act introduces tailored cybersecurity requirements and lifecycle risk assessments, with the space sector now facing losses of over €1 billion annually due to cyberattacks. These protocols are designed to prevent outages, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure uninterrupted services for navigation, banking, defence, and telecommunications.
Sustainability as a Competitive Metric in the Space Sector
Environmental responsibility is a central innovation driver within the Act. Small satellites, while affordable and scalable, carry a disproportionately high carbon footprint. To address this, the Act introduces common life cycle assessment (LCA) rules across mission phases—from design and manufacturing to deorbiting. These assessments ensure verified and comparable environmental data that will serve both regulatory and market purposes. The Act also promotes the development of a shared EU-wide database to support LCA transparency. This data-driven approach encourages operators to invest in cleaner technologies, such as in-orbit servicing and satellite life-extension systems, which reduce debris and limit the frequency of launches. As environmental impact becomes a market differentiator, the Act redefines sustainability not as a constraint but as a source of technological advantage and operational efficiency.
Supporting Scalable Innovation and Coordinated Growth
Recognising the diverse makeup of the European space ecosystem, the EU Space Act applies regulatory proportionality based on company size, maturity, and mission risk. This flexibility allows start-ups and SMEs to enter the market without facing disproportionate burdens. To further support this inclusive growth, the Commission is offering capacity-building tools, access to test environments, and assistance with authorisation processes. These efforts ensure that environmental and security standards are achievable for all actors. Meanwhile, the Commission’s wider Vision for the European Space Economy introduces ‘Space Team Europe’—a coalition of ESA, EUSPA, member states, and industry—to align strategies and consolidate capabilities. By 2025, a new methodology will track the EU’s global space competitiveness, reinforcing the policy’s intent to foster sustainable leadership in a rapidly evolving domain.
Download Document File Here: EU Space Act Factsheet