Currently, there are almost 12,000 satellites in space and only in 2024 3,000 were launched. In the first four months of 2025, only Spacex launched 573 satellites. To this we must add the exploration probes, the replenishment ships of the International Space Station and others. The space is becoming a land of anyone. Or all. AND You have to regulate it. At least that is the vision of the European Commission.
According to a recent statement from Brussels, “The EU Space Law marks the first time we regulate spatial activities in the European Union -In the words of the Commissioner of Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius -. And applies to all the companies that provide services. ”
The new law focuses on three areas: security, establishing harmonized authorization procedures for the launch and operation of satellites; resilience, by establishing Standards for preventing cyber and physical threats to space assets; and sustainability, with plans to develop a methodology to measure the environmental impact of the space sector.
The set of norms will apply extraterritorially, which means that It will also cover companies not belonging to the EU, As American, Chinese, Indian and Japanese companies that seek to operate in the EU, which could generate a conflict with the United States.
The legislation will allow the EU Executive to expand the scope of skills of the single market to cover the next releases of thousands of satellites in orbit, in addition to establishing ecological standards for spacecraft and rockets. Thus, Access to the market for companies such as Spacex by Elon Musk, which manages the huge Starlink Space Internet network, will depend on compliance with the regulations.
While it is not expected that The law applies to the satellites launched up to at least 2030 (which means that the thousands of spacecraft that are already in orbit will not be covered), it remains a turning point for an industry with little supervision to date. The EU Executive has proposed a long period of gradual implementation (two years) before the regulation enters into force and is applied by the Member States.
However, this means that when it enters into force, numerous megaconstellations, such as Musk Starlink, Amazon Kuiper and Chinese alternatives, will be in operation. The project now faces a complex legislative process to become binding law, with large countries with spatial presence such as Germany, France and Italy willing to exert strong pressure. Surely There will also be opposition from the United States and its billionaires owners of space companies in regards to market access.
“The EU Space Law is a legislative initiative of the European Commission that introduces a harmonized frame for spatial activities throughout the union -Explain the statement -. The proposal aims to guarantee safety, resilience and environmental sustainability, thus promoting the competitiveness of the EU space sector. ”
The new law starts from a problem: The current regulatory panorama of Europe is fragmented in 13 different national approaches. The EU Space Law will create a single market for space activities, facilitating the growth and cross -border operation of companies.
With regard to security, the law “introduces solid standards for the monitoring of space objects and the mitigation of space waste, thus preserving the safe and uninterrupted access of Europe to space -adds the EU -. The custom cybersecurity requirements They will strengthen the protection of European spatial infrastructure and guarantee the continuity of the business. ”