Critical space Technologies, space EEE components and equipment for EU non-dependence – 2025 HE Technical Guidance Document

In the 2019 political guidelines, the European Commission President von der Leyen
underlined that “it is not too late for Europe to achieve technological sovereignty in some
critical technology areas”.

The 2020 EU industrial strategy stated: “Europe’s strategic autonomy is about reducing
dependence on others for things we need the most: critical materials and technologies, food,
infrastructure, security and strategic areas such as Space. They also provide Europe’s
industry with an opportunity to develop its own markets, products and services which boost
competitiveness.”

In 2021, the European Commission has established the EU Observatory of Critical
Technologies (OCT) tasked with the objective of identifying, mapping critical space and
defence technologies and drafting related EU technology roadmaps. So far the OCT has
produced a number of classified documents related to different space and defence
technologies and, since 2025 also EU technology roadmaps. Information stemming from
the OCT is informing this Technical Guidance Document.
The EU is therefore supporting the development of critical space technologies that are
strategically important for Europe.