Strasbourg, 15 February 2022
STM is here defined as the means and rules to access, conduct activities in, and return from outer space safely, sustainably and securely.
STM relates to the following elements:
a) Space Situational Awareness (SSA) activities, including SST;
b) orbital debris mitigation and remediation;
c) management of space orbits and radio spectrum;
d) the entire life-cycle of space operations including launch phase, in-orbit operations of spacecraft, and end-of-life de-orbit operations;
e) re-entry phase of spacecraft (both controlled and uncontrolled).
What is the main aim of the initiative?
The objective of this Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative is to lay out a concrete EU approach on Space Traffic Management (STM) for a safe, sustainable and secure use of space, preserving EU interests in full compliance with the respective competences of the EU and its Member States. In particular, it aims at:
- giving a working definition of STM;
- developing STM civil and military requirements;
- fostering the development of the capabilities to provide Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) services, as STM can be performed only via an efficient SST system;
- implementing an appropriate framework of standards and rules;
- promoting the EU STM approach globally.
Why is action needed?
Since the beginning of the space race, about 6,000 launches have put in orbit 11,800 satellites of which 4,550 are currently operational[1], the rest being debris which continue to orbit in space. In the years to come more than 20,000 additional satellites will be launched. Consequently, space is rapidly becoming densely populated with constellations and launch systems. Increasing congestion in space is threatening the viability and safety of space infrastructure and operations. More than 1 million debris items between 1 and 10 cm are orbiting around Earth, a number which is still increasing.
At the same time, only very limited global ‘rules of the road’ on conduct in outer space exist currently. Although there have been notable achievements at UN level, the development of a comprehensive approach at international level is facing considerable diplomatic and political hurdles, which add to the urgency to act.
What has been done at the EU level so far?
At the operational level, the EU is active in the field of Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) since 2014. The EU SST Consortium delivers SST services necessary for the management of space traffic, such as assessing the risk of uncontrolled re-entry or providing information on collision avoidance. Currently, the EU SST Consortium is providing collision avoidance services to more than 260 European spacecraft.
At the technical level, two coordination and support actions are currently carried out within the framework of Horizon 2020 assessing the technologies and capacities necessary for the management of space traffic.
Furthermore, at the request of the European Parliament, the Commission launched a pilot project on space traffic management. This project aims to provide a comprehensive picture of existing and emerging frameworks and to carry out a prior identification of needs. It also assesses regulatory frameworks and market developments.
The Action Plan on Synergies between civil, defence and space industries, adopted in February 2021, established STM as a flagship project aiming to develop STM standards and rules.
What is the value added of action at EU level?
The EU is a space power with cutting-edge satellite navigation services provided by Galileo and EGNOS, and Earth observation services by Copernicus. The proposed actions will enhance the resilience and the safety of EU and Member States’ space infrastructure our societies and economies depend on.
The EU already promotes a multilateral approach to ensure the preservation of the long-term safety and sustainability of activities in outer space, with the objective of reducing risks for all space systems.
The EU is well placed to act, being able to identify needs, requirements, gather views, leverage technology and coordinate external engagement.
How will businesses, SMEs and micro-enterprises be involved?
It is necessary to ensure that the potential offered by EU industry, including New Space, is fully exploited building upon the public services delivered by EU SST. Through targeted actions, the EU SST Partnership can reap the benefits of the EU industry’s latest and innovative technological developments. The future improved EU catalogue and the related data-sharing platform will be partially made available to EU companies for research activities to develop added-value derived STM services in Europe and at the international level.
More concretely, EU companies are participating through call for tenders published by the members of the EU SST Consortium. As a result, up to 75% of the funds delegated by the EU to the EU SST Consortium are sub-contracted to EU industry. This has already created a European industrial ecosystem around SST that should be in a position also to contribute to the EU STM approach.
What about external engagement in Space Traffic Management?
Space is a global public good of increasing geopolitical importance. It is essential to act collectively. The EU STM approach aims to contribute to a global endeavour, pairing existing regional capabilities and tools with an overall ambition for global cooperation, and will favour a multilateral STM approach in the framework of the United Nations.
The EU will pursue an active diplomacy related to STM. Discussions with international partners should focus on civilian matters (e.g. operations, standardisations, etc.), but should also highlight related security and defence aspects of STM.
What are the next steps?
The EU approach for Space Traffic Management proposes ten concrete actions to be carried out between 2022 and 2024 by the Commission and the High Representative in cooperation with the Member States. Within the next four months, the first action is to set up a consultation process with all relevant stakeholders to assess the needs and impact of STM on the various policy areas of the Union. The specific needs of defence and security will also be considered as a constitutive element of a common strategic culture for the space domain.
More information
Press release on the Space Package
Factsheet on Space Traffic Management
Questions and Answers on the Secure Connectivity initiative
Factsheet on Secure Connectivity
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[1] Source: Eurospace. More than 470 spacecraft were launched every year in 2017, 2018 and 2019, while only 110 spacecraft were launched on average per year between 2000 and 2013.