All eyes on the EU Space Act at the European Space Forum 2025

The EU Space Act was a central focus at the European Space Forum in Brussels, held on July 2–3, 2025. Introduced by the European Commission on June 25, 2025, the Act aims to establish a unified regulatory framework for space activities across the EU, addressing safety, resilience, and environmental sustainability.

Building on the success of the previous editions, the 2025 forum brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and international partners to examine how Europe can navigate an increasingly complex and competitive global space environment.

Held under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the EU, and with the participation of the European Commission, ESA, and EUSPA, this year’s edition was organised alongside the inaugural Direct-to-Device (D2D) Policy Forum, broadening the discussion to include critical issues around connectivity, interoperability, and innovation across space-enabled technologies.

Now in its fifth year, the programme was diverse and expansive. Sessions explored the trajectory of Europe’s flagship programmes, Copernicus, Galileo, and IRIS², as well as the evolving role of space in European defence and security strategy, including the proposed European Space Shield. Other key sessions examined the EU Space Act, space sustainability and traffic management, and the frameworks needed to support industrial policy, international cooperation, and spectrum and licensing for non-terrestrial networks (NTNs).

Session 4 at the European Space Forum featuring Philippe Glaesener (SES); Chris White-Horne (UK DSIT); and Martyna Perek (Poland). The session was moderated by Eurospace's Olivier Lematire. 

With keynote addresses from high-level figures including Aarti Holla-Maini (UNOOSA), Eric Morel de Westgaver (ESA), Giancarlo Granero (European Commission), Isabelle Mauro (GSOA), and Frederick C. Pedersen (Denmark’s Permanent Representative to the EU), the conference offered critical insights into Europe’s evolving space landscape.

Across these keynote speeches, several common themes emerged. Following the release of the EU Space Act, speakers underscored that 2025 marks a pivotal year for Europe’s space ecosystem. They called for greater cohesion among European actors and emphasised space’s strategic role in addressing some of Europe’s most pressing challenges: such challenges ranging from competitiveness and innovation to security and sustainability.

‘’The European Space Forum is different from other Brussels-based space conferences. Why? Because it not only provides an opportunity for networking, but more importantly, it focuses on key content questions and substance – critical issues that need to be debated in the European Union.

It is very important for the United Nations to be here – to inform of the progress of our committees and the work of UNOOSA, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, is doing. But also, to really be able to engage with European Union counterparts and the European Space ecosystem.’’
Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

The European Space Act: A Defining Thread in Brussels Discussions

Among the most prominent themes running through the Forum was the European Commission’s newly unveiled European Space Act, a timely and unifying thread for the week’s debates. Released just days before the event’s opening, and the central focus of the opening session, the Act seeks to establish a common internal market for space, introducing harmonised rules built around three core pillars: safety, resilience, and environmental sustainability.

As the European Commission’s Zuzana Mazanova explained, the growing congestion of Earth’s orbit and the legal fragmentation caused by 13 different national frameworks made coordinated action imperative. Echoing this view, MEP Christophe Grudler, rapporteur for the EU Secure Connectivity Initiative, characterised the Act as a necessary shift away from a “far west” era in space, adding that it should be a launchpad for innovation, not a regulatory obstacle. Its goal, he stressed, must be to provide predictability and legal clarity that empowers European firms.

Yet concerns from industry highlighted the need for refinement. Amazon’s Jordi Casanova Tormo questioned the Act’s differentiation between constellation sizes, arguing the thresholds lacked a clear technical basis. He advocated instead for a uniform approach to safety and sustainability, warning that arbitrary rules could stifle innovation. Casanova Tormo also highlighted both Amazon’s continued efforts in technological innovation and the current limitations of today’s capabilities. In particular, he questioned whether the Act’s proposed sustainability timelines were technically feasible, emphasising the need for realistic and achievable implementation pathways.

Javier Iquizerado, representing Hispasat, echoed a call for proportionality. While welcoming the Act’s objectives, he noted that Europe’s space firms operate globally, and any new rules must respect international norms to avoid further regulatory fragmentation.

From Telespazio, Ivan Janes provided a practical perspective on the current burdens faced by European operators, from duplicate audits and certifications to inconsistencies in public procurement rules across Member States. Janes urged for mutual recognition of certifications, harmonised cross-border licensing, and a shift toward outcome-based regulation that prioritises functionality, service delivery, and resilience over prescriptive processes.

Session 3ii: The Future of Copernicus and Galileo – Strengthening European Ambition and Leveraging Its Expertise, at the European Space Forum. 

‘’These kinds of conversations are really important. To discuss and flesh out where we should collaborate more, how we should effectively compete better, and how we should grow the economy together.’’
Girish Chandran, CTO, Viasat

‘’The variety of space industry folks that are here, including the D2D part, is really exciting for us… It’s been really fun.’’
Mindel de la Torre, Head of Global Regulation, Skylo Technologies

‘’What I take from this event is actually the networking among the people that are actually making up space in Europe, and I seei see an evolution. What Ii see from previous events to now is how far the space sector is moving forward, and also the pace at which it is moving forward – a very, very good event.’’
Philippe Glaesener, Senior Vice President of Global Government, SES

Eric Morel de Westgaver delivers his keynote address at the European Space Forum.

The influence of the EU Space Act extended far beyond the opening session.

In her keynote address, UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini welcomed the Act as a major step in promoting space sustainability. This was a theme carried across the agenda.

In Session 2, Giancarlo Granero of the European Commission praised the Act’s visionary ambition, especially its acknowledgment of the emerging lunar economy. In Session 4, Martyna Perek of Poland called for a period of reflection and digestion, noting the significance of what lies ahead for Member States.

Further discussions in Session 7 on space sustainability and traffic management saw Rodolphe Munoz (European Commission) defend the Act, asserting that it tackles the “two sides of the same coin.'' Both a congested and contested orbit. Alberto Agueda of GMV emphasised the need for a strong political mandate to translate the Act into sustained investment and tangible market opportunities.

Finally, in Session 8 on international space diplomacy, the global implications of the Act were brought to the fore. Caitlin Poling from the U.S. Department of State shared that several U.S. private companies have expressed concern over the Act’s potential to limit participation, disrupt supply chains, and inhibit innovation. She called for the establishment of a formal consultation process for international stakeholders and confirmed that the U.S. government will review the Act accordingly.

Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, delivers her keynote address at the European Space Forum. 

‘’We keep coming back to events like this, so the value is clearly is immense for us – whether they are in Europe or elsewhere in the world. Its a great exchange of views, and an opportunity to also hear when there are moments such as today, like the EU space Act, to exchange ideas and understand better what are the objectives and how we can best achieve these objectives altogether.‘’
Isabelle Mauro, Director General of GSOA

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