The EU ministers responsible for space policy welcomed the European Commission’s intention to push forward with a European initiative on Space Traffic Management and the roadmap (see EUROPE 12726/9) presented by the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council at the end of the Competitiveness Council on space policy on Friday 28 May.
Responding to EUROPE, the Portuguese Minister for Science and Technology, Manuel Heitor, confirmed that there was a consensus on the project among member states and noted that the roadmap had been prepared within the framework of the trio Presidency of the Council of the EU. France (which will take over the rotating presidency in the first half of 2022) has also made a significant contribution, he said.
Consensus was reached, he highlighted, through a “step-by-step” approach to take into account all Member States and their specific requirements. “This roadmap has been developed by all and has therefore reached a consensus”, he concluded.
As for the question of international cooperation, particularly with the United States, Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton explained that the Commission’s desire to act in the field of space traffic management was part of a more global strategy working for European sovereignty. For the Commissioner, the common vision would first have to be finalised before moving forward on the issue of partnerships.
“We will be open to discussions on partnerships, of course, but on our terms”, he added, specifying that he had already made contact with his American counterparts. “We will certainly have meetings in the coming months and weeks”, the idea being to be interoperable with our chosen partners in the field of space traffic management, he stressed.
Asked by EUROPE about the role of the EU SST Consortium (created in 2014 by a decision of the European Parliament and EU Council - Decision 541/2014/EU - and involving France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Poland, Portugal and Romania), the Commissioner said that “things were clear”: the EU Space Programme Regulation did not allow the UK to participate in the Consortium.
European constellation for secure connectivity. Responding to EUROPE, the Commissioner said that studies were well underway on the European constellation project for a European constellation for secure connectivity.
A first study was completed with large “well-known” players. A second one was launched, in conjunction with European start-ups, insisting that he wanted a “European, sovereign and innovative infrastructure”. As part of his ecosystem approach, the Commissioner emphasised the importance of listening to both large and small players, especially the “disruptive” ones. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)