Supporting standardisation in the field of Space Traffic Management – presentation of the EU Space Label study report
On 6 March 2024, DG DEFIS presented the results of its recently concluded study on an EU Space Label concept to support standardisation in the field of Space Traffic Management.
The study was carried out by Deloitte together with Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) and GMV over the course of 1.5 years. It outlines the current state of play and existing standards, guidelines and best practices supporting STM, and assesses the suitability of the overall set of standards, guidelines and best practices supporting STM, concluding that the current landscape of standardisation in the field of STM is fragmented with no clear guidance for space operators on the most suitable or beneficial voluntary measures to follow.
After assessing the appropriate level of action, the study proposes appropriate policy objectives, and then gives five high-level examples of systems that may be suitable to support the use of standards, guidelines and best practices in STM. Settling on a label as the most suitable of the five assessed systems, the study then presents a blueprint and a roadmap for how a potential EU Space Label could be designed and implemented, sketching out an overall framework and a set of initial space labels in the three key domains of space safety, the environment, and dark and quiet skies.
During the Final Event of this study, approx. 200 participants onsite and online learned about the main approach of the study, the concept and framework for an EU Space Label followed by first ideas for a Space Safety Label, an Environmental Space Label, and a Dark and Quiet Skies Label. In the following panel discussion with DG DEFIS, major space industry associations ASD-Eurospace, SME4SPACE and #YEESS and Friends of Europe, DG DEFIS exchanged views and gathered further ideas and feedback from panellists and participants on the needs of, added value for and interests of the industry in the three labels as well as which labels to implement as a priority.
The study presented during this event is a first step and a basis for discussion with stakeholders; industry representatives and participants supported the idea of an EU Space Label but highlighted that it must bring clear and tangible benefits for industry stakeholders. To ensure this, they invited DG DEFIS to involve industry closely in the design and implementation of the EU Space Label framework.
Background
The study on an EU Space Label to support standardisation in the field of STM falls under the implementation of avenue three on ‘fostering STM regulatory aspects’ of the EU approach on STM.
Supporting Material
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.
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.