European Commission proposes Space Industrial Policy

On February 28th 2013, the European Commission issued a Communication on a new industrial policy for the European Space sector. It proposes detailed measures to keep Europe’s space industry competitive and to set up a European satellite collision avoidance system.

The space industrial policy shall increase industry skill levels, make finance and investment more readily available, ensure the EU’s independence in space and also reshape the EU’s legislative framework.

These initiatives will be complemented by a surveillance and tracking system to protect satellites from collisions in space. The proposed support programme would allow EU Member States that monitor satellites and space debris to pool their capacities and establish a European monitoring system.

The Communication addresses a number of key legal issues, including:

• the creation of a EU regulatory framework for space activities
• the monitoring and improvement of the frameworks for dual-use export control and intra-EU transfers
• the availability of spectrum for satellite communications
• preparation of a legal framework for emerging space activities, e.g. commercial spaceflights
• improvement of rules and practices for space procurements

BHO Legal is involved in on-going studies for the European Commission on the above topics and provides regular advice to other public and industrial stakeholders.

The Communication is accompanied by two Memos and a Press Release. All documents can be downloaded here:

• Communication: EU Space Industrial Policy
• Memo: Action programme for space industry
• Memo: Avoiding collisions in space
• Press Release