EU approach to Space Traffic Management
The EU STM approach proposes ten actions along four avenues, several of which call for fora in which experts develop solutions to the rapidly increasing traffic in space together with the Commission, the High Representative and other EU and European bodies commonly.
Mirroring the four avenues of the EU STM approach, the Stakeholder Mechanism on Space Traffic Management (STM) consists of one main group and four subgroups which gather ideas and contributions to implement the ten STM actions.
The main group coordinates and supervises the work of the subgroups and ensures liaison between DG DEFIS and EEAS on the one hand and the Member States on the other.
For more information on space traffic management, contact DEFIS-STM@ec.europa.eu.
Avenue 3: Regulatory STM aspects
Complementing the binding obligations outlined in the Commission proposal for an EU Space Act, European experts in standardisation and other voluntary measures together with the Commission develop and promote non-binding initiatives such as guidelines and best practices on STM to incentivise companies to go the extra mile.
The EU approach on Space Traffic Management (STM) proposed by the Commission and the High Representative therefore aims at keeping space operations safe, space orbits usable, and space accessible for decades to come while ensuring and further fostering the competitiveness of the EU space industry.
EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) is the cornerstone of EU STM strategy. EU SST fosters innovation and supports European industrial capabilities for strategic autonomy. The EU Industry and Start-ups Forum on STM (EISF) unites stakeholders to define R&D priorities.
Space Traffic Management (STM) is a key EU strategic challenge. This study defines STM at EU level, maps the global ecosystem, reviews regulatory frameworks, and assesses three policy actions from the 2022 Joint Communication: licensing toolbox, incentive measures for standards, and STM legislation.
Supporting standardisation in the field of Space Traffic Management - EU Space Label
This report proposes an EU Space Label—a voluntary mechanism to promote adherence to common STM standards for space safety and sustainability. It maps the STM landscape, reviews existing standards, assesses feasibility, and provides a blueprint and roadmap for implementation.
This study supports EU Space Traffic Management policy to ensure sustainable, safe space use and EU strategic autonomy. It assessed existing STM standards and guidelines, evaluated feasibility of an EU-level mechanism, and developed a blueprint for implementing an EU Space Label framework.
This report summarizes the Final Event of the EU Space Label study, organized by DG DEFIS. The event concluded an assessment of a voluntary labelling mechanism to support EU Space Traffic Management standardisation.
- Regulation (EU) 2021/696
- Joint Communication: An EU Approach for Space Traffic Management
- Fair and sustainable use of space (Council Conclusions of Swedish Presidency (2023)
- EU approach to space traffic management (Council Conclusions of French Presidency (2022)
- An EU approach for Space Traffic Management (European Parliament Resolution (2022)