The High Representative (HR) of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy manages the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP) aspects of the EU's space activities and ensures the consistency of the EU's external action in the space domain.

The High Representative exerts an operational role in response to possible threats to or through the systems and services deriving from the EU Space Programme and concerning the EU Satellite Centre.

In March 2023, the High Representative and the Commission issued the first EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence that will allow the EU to protect its space assets, defend its interests, deter hostile activities in space and strengthen its strategic posture and autonomy.

With the view to make the HR involvement possible and coherent, the Special Envoy for Space (SES, presently Ms. Marjolijn van Deelen) has been nominated and is assisted by the Space Division. The primary mission of the SES is to implement the HR’s operational responsibilities described above and to represent the EU in multilateral fora dedicated to space. The SES also cooperates with Commission services and contributes to the development of the security aspects of the EU Space Programme as well as all other related matters.

The SES is instrumental in promoting the responsible behaviour in space, within the UN framework, provides advice on space matters and prepares draft statements, interventions and supportive documents for multilateral and bilateral EU Delegations, especially the EU Delegations in Vienna, Geneva and New York. She also provides diplomatic advice to the Commission services on their dialogues and negotiations with third States.

On 10 March 2023, the High Representative and the Commission presented a Joint Communication on an EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence opening the new chapter of EU engagement in the space domain. 

Through the Strategy, the EU intends to defend its security interests in the space domain by better protecting space systems and services, by deterring any hostile action through the various instruments that the EU has at its disposal and by ensuring relevant international engagement.

Space Threat Response

Through Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/698, the High Representative exerts an operational responsibility in relation to possible threats to or through the systems and services deriving from the EU Space Programme. The Decision tasks the Council and the High Representative (if the urgency of the situation requires immediate action) to decide on the necessary instructions to the EUSPA (European Union Agency for the Space Programme) or to the relevant appointed security monitoring to avert a threat or mitigate serious harm to the Union or one or more of its Member States. To this end, an EEAS team of 24/7 Space Threat Response Architecture (STRA) Duty Officers operates under the oversight of the Special Envoy for Space.

• Follow the link to download the Council Decision

EU Satellite Centre

The High Representative has the operational direction on the EU Satellite Centre (SatCen), the EU’s operational geospatial intelligence agency, under the PSC (Political and Security Committee) political guidance, in particular for prioritising requests. The Special Envoy for Space, together with the EEAS Space Division, supports the HR in this role through the Tasking Authority. In addition, the Special Envoy for Space chairs the SatCen Board on behalf of the High Representative.

• Follow the link to visit the EU Satellite Centre website
• Follow the link to learn more about the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence

The EU Strategy for Space Security and Defence is based around protecting EU space assets and fostering cooperation in times of increasing competition in space.

Space is a strategic domain. Space services are critical to the daily functioning of societies and economies.

Space assets are increasingly subject to threats. The space sector infrastructure and space industry needs to be protected.

This will depend on international cooperation and partnership with like-minded states.

Multilateral engagement

The EU believes in multilateralism with a strong United Nations system at its core. The EU has a long-standing position in the multilateral fora on developing space activities in the existing international legislative framework, stressing also the need to ensure responsible behaviour in outer space, for the benefit and in the interest of all countries. Access to and use of outer space should equally be shaped by international rules or standards and by a governance system aiming at guaranteeing the long-term, sustainable, responsible and peaceful use of space.

The EU takes full benefit of its status as UN permanent observer to act side by side with its Member States in discussions related to outer space. With the support of its Delegations in Vienna, Geneva and New York, and under the political supervision of the Council, the EEAS continues to actively contribute to:

• the work of the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and its subsidiary bodies for issues pertaining to space safety such as the implementation of the 21 Long Term Sustainability (LTS) Guidelines, and the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) of the UN General Assembly for issues pertaining to space safety, and
• the Conference on Disarmament (CD), Disarmament Commission (DC) and International Security Committee (First Committee) of the UN General Assembly for issues pertaining to space security, supporting the international ambitions to prevent an arms race in outer space (PAROS) through transparency and confidence building measures (TCBMs) in outer space.

In this context, the EU and its Member States and likeminded countries advocate for agreeing on a set of international norms, rules and principles for responsible behaviours in outer space, which are currently being discussed within the UN in the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on reducing space threats.

Safety, Security and Sustainability of Outer Space activities (3SOS)

The EU and its Member States are actively promoting the preservation of a safe, secure and sustainable outer space environment as well as its peaceful use on an equitable and mutually acceptable basis. Considering the recent development in space, in 2019 the Special Envoy for Space launched the 3SOS campaign, 3SOS standing for Safety, Security and Sustainability of Outer Space and also for thrice SOS emphasising the urgency to act. This is a public diplomacy campaign building awareness and a common understanding of the main safety, security and sustainability issues in outer space that will provide a fertile soil for diplomatic action.

Bilateral engagements

Complementing multilateral engagement on space security with bilateral exchanges with third States is a key element of the external engagement of the EU.

Exchanges on space security and defence can take place in the framework of the political dialogues with third countries, in the dialogues on disarmament and non-proliferation and/or in the context of civilian space dialogues. The civilian space dialogues comprise two parts, one dedicated to civilian space aspects and the second to space security dialogue co-chaired on the EU side by the Special Envoy for Space and DG DEFIS. All these dialogues complement the various bilateral exchanges of EU Member States on these topics.

Space Traffic Management

In view of the significant increase in the number of satellites in orbit, the resilience and safety of EU and Member States' space assets are at serious risk. It is critical to protect the long-term viability of space activities by ensuring that space remains a safe, secure and sustainable environment. The Joint Communication establishes an EU approach on Space Traffic Management and was welcomed by Council and Parliament. It focuses on four elements, which are currently being implemented by DG DEFIS and EEAS:

• Developing civilian and military requirements and impacts for STM
• Strengthening our operational capabilities for surveillance and tracking [link EU SST] to avoid collisions
• Monitoring and developing normative and legislative framework;
• Cooperating with international partners in view of regional contributions to a global effort.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stated: 

Space has become more crowded than ever, increasing the complexity and the risks related to space operations. To address this global challenge, we propose today an EU approach to Space Traffic Management. We will develop concrete capabilities, set norms and engage with key partners and in multilateral fora to ensure a safe, secure and sustainable use of space. While STM is a civilian endeavour, European security and defence depend on a safe, secure and autonomous access to space.

• Follow the link to learn more about EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EUSST)