MEPs on the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) are preparing a motion for resolution (MfR) in which they intend to call on the European Commission to propose a legislative act on space traffic management before 2024, according to information gleaned on Wednesday 11 May.
In connection with this future legislation, MEPs are reportedly set to propose the establishment of specific governance by assigning responsibilities to the EU Space Programme Agency (EUSPA), as part of the mid-term review of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework. Eventually, this legislation will be integrated into the Space Programme Regulation.
The motion for a resolution should furthermore call for the establishment of a binding European regulatory framework (rules, standards, technical specifications and guidelines) for space activities, collision avoidance through automated systems between spacecraft, space debris prevention, mitigation, remediation and disposal techniques.
Furthermore, MEPs intend to call on the Commission to promote European rules at international level through the UN, but also with third countries directly, in order to establish a rapid framework at international level and avoid excessive administrative burdens for the space industry.
Parliamentarians want to improve European capabilities in the field of space surveillance and tracking (SST), in particular by stimulating research and innovation in the field of space traffic management.
The motion for a resolution should be published soon. It will be adopted at the next meeting of the ITRE Committee on 17 May, together with an oral question on the subject. On the EU Council side, ambitions remain more limited and the request for a legislative act by 2024 does not seem to be a priority (see EUROPE 12943/12).
In their joint communication presented in mid-February, the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) propose to present a legislative act by the end of 2024. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)