DG DEFIS in talks with European space community on space traffic management at EU Space Week 2023
During this year’s EU Space Week from 7-9 November 2023 in Sevilla, Spain, DG DEFIS discussed the importance of space traffic management with the European space community. The event was jointly organised by the European Commission and the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) in collaboration with the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council.
Panellists representing EUSPA, DG DEFIS, the EU SST Partnership, GMV, EUMETSAT and EASA agreed that space is becoming increasingly congested due to the exponential increase of space traffic and debris, representing a serious threat to the security, safety and sustainability of space operations. In their session on STM, they presented and discussed the challenges of STM, a key driver for space sustainability, industry competitiveness, and strategic autonomy. These challenges embrace regulatory and technological aspects, as well as synergies with airspace management systems, including commercial space transportation.
Background
DG DEFIS’ participation in this event supports the implementation of the EU approach on STM.
Supporting Material
JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL An EU Approach for Space Traffic Management An EU contribution addressing a global challenge
An EU Approach for Space Traffic Management
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.