New Initiatives Aim to Boost Strategic Autonomy from U.S. Space Tracking Systems
The European Union is taking significant steps to enhance its space situational awareness (SSA) program, emphasizing the importance of commercial capabilities. This move reflects a long-standing commitment to achieving “strategic autonomy” and reducing reliance on American space tracking resources.
Fostering Innovation and Competitiveness
Pascal Faucher, Chairman of the European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking Partnership (EU SST), highlighted the EU’s decision to accelerate innovation within the SSA domain and to strengthen competitiveness among European industries and startups. “We decided to foster and really accelerate innovation to consolidate a commercial ecosystem,” he stated at the 11th Annual Space Traffic Management Conference hosted by the University of Texas at Austin.
Faucher pointed out that the 15 EU member states involved in the EU SST network of radars and telescopes believe this commercial ecosystem will complement military sensors from member states and bolster their strategic autonomy.
Balancing Civil and Defense Needs
The emphasis on synergies between civil and defense capabilities is crucial, especially given the EU’s budget constraints. Faucher acknowledged, “We need to be realistic and pragmatic,” indicating the importance of wise investments in both civil and military assets.
Currently, EU SST is funded by the European Commission and the European Union Agency for the Space Program under the collective “civil program,” which Faucher noted provides reliable funding for European initiatives, even if it does not resonate significantly in the U.S. context.
Military Assets and Investment Synergy
Although many sensors in the EU SST network are military assets, the European Defence Fund is also being leveraged to support commercial SSA innovation across the European Union’s 27 member states. Faucher emphasized the need to collaborate strategically, stating, “We need to avoid unnecessary duplications and maximize our investment in these capabilities.”
The EU SST is already utilized by 67 different spacecraft operators, primarily from Europe but also including entities from Australia, Brazil, Canada, and several other countries. The network monitors a total of 543 civil, military, and commercial satellites.
Expanding Network Participation
Three additional countries are expected to join and contribute sensors and funding to the EU SST project soon, although their identities were not disclosed. Current member states include Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and several others.
Comparative Landscape: EU SST vs. U.S. Capabilities
As the EU SST program enters its eighth year, it finds itself both behind and ahead of U.S. capabilities in various aspects. The U.S. Space Force operates the largest network of space sensors, known as the Space Surveillance Network, which provides global operators with warnings about potential collisions in orbit.
In contrast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is developing a civil network called the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCCS), aimed at aiding non-military satellite operators, though it is still in its early stages and does not require participation from companies.
Data Sharing and Collaboration Commitments
Faucher noted a key differentiator of the EU SST program is its requirement for users to share not just satellite attributes but also plans for maneuvers. This level of data sharing between nations on a daily basis is highlighted as a unique aspect of the EU’s approach to space situational awareness. “We have a case of legacy in SSA data sharing,” he remarked, emphasizing the program’s commitment to transparency and collaboration in maintaining space safety.
