Originally published by Space Intel Report. Read the original article here.
(Source: European Commission)
LA PLATA, Maryland — European government and industry officials agreed that the draft EU Space Act, first published in June 2025 and since subjected to two revisions, is still far from where it needs to be to become EU law.
Industry officials from the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) and Spain-based GMV produced a long list of objections including over-regulation and duplication of existing efforts, the threat of undermining European industry competitiveness; and the unclear involvement of industry in the law’s future implementing acts that will set specific technical requirements.
The last attempt to simplify the proposed act was made on March 30 by the government of Cyprus, which currently holds the six-month EU rotating presidency to June 30.
Nicodemos Damianou. (Source: EU Space Days video)
But Nicodemos Damianou, Cyprus’s deputy minister of science, innovation and digital policy, conceded May 26 that his government’s work will not carry the Act to the finish line.
“Given the complexity of the file, the Cyprus presidency has worked intensively with member states and stakeholders to support a constructive and balanced examination,” Damianou said at the EU Space Days conference, held in Nicosia.
“Our objective has been … a clear, more balanced operational framework for space in Europe that strengthens safety, resilience and environmental sustainability while remaining proportionate, innovation-friendly and mindful of national ecosystems.
“Work remains complex, but the direction is clear: Europe needs a modern space regulatory framework that gives confidence to operators, administrations, investors and citizens. Investors is the key word here,” Damianou said.
Vicky Kokkori. (Source: EU Space Days)
Vicky Kokkori, deputy head of the space and single market unit at the European Commission’s DG-Defis defense and space directorate, said the cornerstones of the Act remain unchanged.
“We want to.. establish a genuine single market, to create a stable rulebook for all actors in the space domain. Operators will be in control of their missions but will not pose a threat to other operators.
“We are approaching the one-year milestone [since it was first proposed] and we are working to support the European Parliament and the member states in refining it to something that is workable and realistic. We are working closely with ESA [the 23-nation European Space Agency] on the Act and the technical rules that will follow.”
Kokkori said 14 of the 27 EU governments now have their own space laws, with more on the way. Harmonizing these into an EU-level law will make it easier for all space businesses — EU and non-EU — operating in the EU.
Maria Antonia Ramos Prada. (Source: EU Space Days)
Maria Antonia Ramos Prada, head of space traffic management at GMV, agreed on the Act’s headline goals.
“This harmonization avoids the fragmentation and duplication we now have in Europe, and the uncertainties,” Ramos Prada said.
“However… this should not be detrimental to the competitiveness of European industry in an international environment. We are working on a global environment and we need to remain competitive in that environment,” she said.
“It also has to be economically sustainable and proportionate. You cannot kill the mission by putting too high a bar on the requirements the mission needs to meet.”
Theodora Liameti, GSOA’s European regional regulatory market access analyst, who also works at satellite fleet operator Eutelsat, said GSOA shares the Commission’s goal of “a harmonized, single set of rules to achieve a very welcome policy objective: safety, sustainability and resilience in space.”
Theodora Liameti. (Source: EU Space Days video)
Liameti said most European satellite operators already act responsibly in space and follow guidelines under the UN COPUOS, the International Telecommunication Union and GSOA’s own code of conduct.
The Commission needs to ensure that the Act doesn't limit innovation by having overly prescriptive regulations. It is important to balance between predictability and flexibility, and at the same time involve strongly the industry.
“The Act just sets the policy objectives,” Liameti said. “It is up to the implementing acts to define the technical requirements. Industry needs to be engaged to understand the different technologies so that the regulations reflect commercial reality.”
She urged the Commission not to layer on regulations that duplicate rules already in place. She referenced the Commission’s proposed Digital Networks Act, which includes new requirements for satellite systems.
“Space is becoming congested, as we all know,” Liameti said. “But we should not overdo it. We should simplify instead of over-compexifying the regime as it applies to the satellite industry.”
Kokkori responded by saying: “I fully subscribe to many of the comments” from GMV and GSOA.
“We believe that exactly because of how timely the Act is, it’s important to delve into the issues and look at what would make it more operational, more in tune with the needs of the member states. We welcome the support and the constructive input.
“We should not over-regulate, but we need smart regulations. We cannot have the Wild West in space activities. We tried for a balance of predictability and flexibility, to be open to adjustments in technology and business models. This is why there was a conscious choice to delegate some parts to be discussed with industry, ESA and the member states.”
Ireland assumes the EU presidency on July 1, followed by Lithuania and then Greece. All of them may have to wrestle with the EU Space Act.
Originally published by Space Intel Report. Read the original article here.
