Space Traffic Management (STM)
Safeguarding space operations
STM in a nutshell
The Earth’s atmosphere is getting crowded, with millions of debris and thousands of satellites already in space, and thousands of new satellites expected to be launched in the next 10 years. The resulting congestion puts space assets at risk: a collision could damage or destroy a satellite and interrupt the services it provides for us here on Earth.
That’s why the EU works on keeping space safe, accessible, and sustainable. Its approach for Space Traffic Management (STM) aims to keep space operations safe, space orbits usable, and space accessible for decades to come while supporting and strengthening the competitiveness of the EU industry.
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 and gathers ideas and contributions to implement the ten STM actions.
The main group, co-chaired by DG DEFIS and EEAS and composed of EU Member States, coordinates and supervises the work of the subgroups.
News
Space Traffic Management subcomponents
With millions of debris pieces and thousands of new satellites in orbit, managing space traffic becomes increasingly essential. Avenue 3 of the EU approach to Space Traffic Management (STM) develops and promotes voluntary measures and binding obligations in the field of space traffic management.
Safeguarding space operations
With millions of debris and thousands of new satellites, managing space traffic is essential. Avenue 4 of the EU STM approach promotes the Union's strategy internationally as its contribution to addressing the global challenge of increasing space traffic.
With millions of debris and thousands of new satellites, managing space traffic is essential. Avenue 1 of the EU STM approach gathers civilian and military operator needs to ensure continued safe operations in space.
With millions of debris pieces and thousands of new satellites in orbit, managing space traffic becomes increasingly essential. Avenue 2 of the EU approach to Space Traffic Management (STM) supports the EU’s industrial space surveillance and tracking capabilities and helps the European space surveillance industry to become more competitive.