OBSERVER: Security, competitiveness, and access to space discussed at the 18th European Space Conference
OBSERVER: Security, competitiveness, and access to space discussed at the 18th European Space Conference
sonia
As Europe approaches a decisive moment for its space ambitions, the 18th European Space Conference convened policymakers, industry leaders, and institutional stakeholders to reflect on the choices shaping the continent’s space ecosystem over the coming decade. Held in the wake of the CM25 ESA Ministerial Council in Bremen and ongoing negotiations on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, the conference highlighted how space has become integral to Europe’s security, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy. Across two days of discussion in Brussels, attention shifted from vision-setting towards delivery, with a focus on operational capabilities, industrial resilience, and governance frameworks needed to sustain Europe’s space systems in a rapidly evolving global context. In this Observer, we look at some highlights from the conference.
A turning point for Europe’s space policy
The European Space Conference took place on 27-28 January in Brussels, at a moment when several major decision-making processes are converging for Europe’s space sector. Negotiations on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, including the proposed European Competitiveness Fund, are unfolding alongside reflections on the future direction of the EU Space Programme and the implementation of commitments taken at the most recent ESA Ministerial Council. Together, these processes are defining not only funding levels, but also priorities, governance models, and the way in which Europe intends to position itself in space over the coming decade.
Discussions during the two-day conference reflected a shared understanding that space assets and services have become strategic infrastructure. Satellite navigation, Earth Observation, secure communications, and Space Situational Awareness increasingly support European policy objectives ranging from climate monitoring and disaster response to security, defence, and economic resilience. As a result, decisions taken in the coming years will have long-term implications for Europe’s autonomy both in space and from space. The challenge ahead is not in expanding Europe’s space capabilities, but ensuring that they remain reliable, interoperable, and resilient in an environment characterised by geopolitical uncertainty, technological competition, and growing demand for space-based services
“We shall spend a lot of our attention strengthening European cooperation; not to allow our space sector to be fragmented, overlapping, and not as effective as we would like to build. That is where we shall need to cooperate very well and effectively with Member States which are also developing their own capabilities.”
– European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius
From ambition to operational delivery
A recurring theme at the conference was the transition from strategic ambition to concrete delivery. This shift is already visible across the EU Space Programme and its components, where recent milestones have reinforced continuity and long-term operational delivery.
In a session dedicated to satellite navigation, discussions focused on the completion of the first generation of Galileo satellites, reflecting the system’s growing role in sustaining economic activity and public services worldwide. Attention was also given to preparations for the next phase of development, including the transition toward launches of Galileo Second Generation (G2G) satellites. Today, more than 4.5 billion GNSS-enabled devices are in use globally, illustrating the scale at which satellite navigation has become embedded in everyday life. The successful launch of new satellites and the rollout of Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) have strengthened the system’s performance and security. OSNMA adds a layer of spoofing detection to open navigation signals and, as part of the Galileo Open Service, makes this capability freely available to all users. In doing so, Galileo is currently the only global navigation satellite system providing this capability through a free and open service. In parallel, testing of the Public Regulated Service (PRS) by EU Member States is advancing towards operational status. Together with EGNOS, Galileo continues to provide best-in-class navigation services to billions of devices worldwide, supporting both civilian and institutional users. Galileo’s tenth year of service provision underlined the importance of continuity and long-term reliability.
Earth Observation (EO) featured prominently as another area where delivery and continuity are crucial. Over the past 18 months, six Copernicus Sentinel satellites have been successfully launched, ensuring the sustained provision of high-quality EO data. These launches, combined with ongoing upgrades, reinforce Europe’s position as a leading global provider of Earth Observation data. At the same time, the operational maturity of the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem and WEkEO illustrates how data access and processing infrastructures have become as important as satellites themselves. Beyond civil applications, discussions also addressed the evolving geopolitical context. The proposed development of a European Earth Observation Governmental Service (EOGS) reflects the need for timely, secure information to support security and defence decision-making. This need has informed ongoing preparatory work, including early development activities led by ESA under the European Resilience from Space initiative, which focus on maturing technologies and architectures that could contribute to a future EOGS capability. These efforts are complemented by broader coordination with defence stakeholders to help clarify requirements for secure, dual-use Earth Observation services for institutional users.
Space, security, and Europe’s strategic autonomy
Security-related discussions formed a strong thread across the first day, cutting across sessions on connectivity, infrastructure protection, and space situational awareness. Sessions were focused on continuity of services, risk management, and resilience in an increasingly congested and contested environment.
Secure connectivity was one area where this approach was evident. Discussions on governmental satellite communications reflected progress towards operational readiness. With the recent launch of GOVSATCOM operations, all Member States have access to secure satellite communications for governmental and military use, delivered through infrastructure built and operated in Europe and remaining fully under EU control. This step was presented as enabling the transition from preparatory phases towards service delivery, complementing broader efforts to strengthen secure connectivity through initiatives such as IRIS², which is now focused on implementation following the signature of the concession contract with the SpaceRISE consortium.
Space situational awareness also featured prominently, particularly in the context of space traffic management. The expansion of the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) partnership, growing coverage of satellites, and increasing uptake of services by non-EU users illustrate how European capabilities are evolving in response to congestion and risk in orbit. As EU SST approaches a decade of service provision, its role in safeguarding space assets is increasingly seen as foundational.
Competitiveness, access to space, and scaling Europe’s industry
Discussions on the second day placed renewed focus on access to space as an enabling condition for Europe’s space ecosystem. Competitiveness was addressed as a structural challenge spanning the entire space value chain in discussions that highlighted its relevance for Europe’s strategic autonomy and the reduction of critical dependencies. Ensuring access to space was highlighted as a key enabler of Europe’s space ambitions. Ensuring autonomous, reliable, and cost-effective launch capabilities for institutional and commercial users remains a central concern, particularly in the context of reducing external dependencies amid global market pressures.
Policy instruments aimed at strengthening Europe’s launch ecosystem were discussed as part of a broader strategy. Aggregation of institutional demand, market transparency, and support for innovation were recurring themes. These discussions were complemented by a dedicated award ceremony held during the conference, where the winners of the Game-changing Innovations for European Launch Solutions initiative were recognised. Five selected projects received €950,000 each, showing how targeted incentives are being used to support disruptive innovation and Europe’s future access to space. The next edition of the award is expected to feature a significantly expanded prize purse totalling €20 million.
Discussions on competitiveness also extended beyond launch. The European Competitiveness Fund and the Vision for the European Space Economy provided a backdrop for these exchanges. Panellists discussed how industrial resilience, production capacity, and scale-up pathways are becoming as relevant as technological innovation itself. Initiatives supporting start-ups and SMEs, including CASSINI, were referenced as tools to help bridge the gap between innovation and market maturity, particularly in a challenging economic environment.
“Time is of the essence. We need to be able to pull together the national skills and constellations, European industry- big and small, the primes, and the newcomers in the best possible way.”
-Director General for Defence Industry and Space, Timo Pesonen
Technology sovereignty, research, and acting in space
The final sessions of the conference looked towards the capabilities and frameworks needed to sustain Europe’s space ambitions over the long term. Panels underscored the importance of investing upstream to secure Europe’s future capabilities. Technology sovereignty emerged as a cross-cutting priority, closely tied to supply chain resilience and industrial autonomy.
Strong participation in space-related calls under Horizon Europe demonstrates continued interest across the research community, while In-Orbit Demonstration and Validation activities provide concrete pathways to test new technologies in space. Recent selections of innovative experiments, ranging from advanced sensors to propulsion and onboard computing systems, illustrate how in-orbit validation supports both technological excellence and industrial competitiveness.
Emerging domains such as In-Space Operations and Services and space-based quantum technologies were discussed in the context of developing Europe’s capability to act in space. Strategic forums, joint declarations, and pilot missions signal a gradual but deliberate move towards operationalising these new areas, with a view to protecting assets and enabling future in-space economic activity.
Sustaining Europe’s space ecosystem
While much of the conference focused on systems, services, and technologies, discussions repeatedly returned to the human and institutional foundations of Europe’s space ecosystem. Skills, education, and workforce development are essential to sustaining competitiveness and innovation over the long term.
Initiatives such as the Space Career Launchpad, aimed at engaging young people, supporting career transitions, and broadening participation in the space sector illustrate a growing awareness that space opportunities extend well beyond traditional engineering roles. At the same time, efforts to strengthen governance frameworks are shaping how space activities are conducted across the Single Market.
The proposed EU Space Act featured as a key element of the governance discussion. By addressing safety, resilience, and environmental sustainability, the initiative seeks to establish a coherent regulatory framework which provides predictability for operators while ensuring a level playing field. Interest from public authorities, industry, and other stakeholders reflects the importance of clear and consistent rules as space activities continue to expand.
As the conference drew to a close, discussions returned to the need for closer alignment between policy, industry, and institutions across Europe’s space ecosystem. Taken together, the exchanges over two days emphasised that sustained coordination and coherent decision-making are central to the long-term evolution of Europe’s space capabilities.
