The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled an initiative to clean up Europe's space sector, while reducing its environmental impact and better protecting satellites from cyberattacks.
In a press release, the commission said it intended to adopt an EU Space Act, which it described as “a new set of ambitious measures aimed at making Europe's space sector cleaner, safer and more competitive on both domestic and international markets.”
The rules governing Europe's activities in space are complex, the commission says, due to “13 different national approaches” that it calls a “patchwork” that hampers innovation, creates unnecessary costs and reduces Europe's market share.
If the Space Act is passed, it will primarily oblige the EU to actively monitor space objects and remove space debris to ensure “safe and uninterrupted access to space” for Europe. The law will also ensure that cybersecurity is strengthened to “strengthen the protection of European space infrastructure and ensure business continuity.”
In addition, all spacecraft operators will be required to monitor how their activities outside Earth impact our planet's environment, and receive innovative support from the EU for technologies such as debris removal and in-orbit servicing.
The law also means that operators from non-EU countries providing space services to Europe will also have to comply with these rules, with requirements proportionate to the size of the company and the level of risk.
However, the legislative package is not yet complete, as it must first be agreed upon in accordance with the established procedure with the European Parliament and the Council.
“We are taking the first EU space law to the launch pad,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. “It will make the skies safer, protect our satellites and strengthen our space economy.”
“We are preparing for the next era of space innovation,” von der Leyen added. “Faster, smarter and cleaner.”
Sourse: www.upi.com
