The space communication system is mainly for governmental use with high security features using the newest technologies available like quantum technology Copyright (c) 2016 sdecoret/Shutterstock. No use without permission.

The space communication system is mainly for governmental use with high security features using the newest technologies available like quantum technology  Copyright (c) 2016 sdecoret/Shutterstock. No use without permission.

The EU is taking the new space race seriously, and yesterday tabled two initiatives - a proposal for a regulation on a space-based secure connectivity and a joint communication on an EU approach on Space Traffic Management (STM). The aim is to secure the union as an economic power through technological sovereignty but also to improve capabilities in spotting space debris and safeguarding governmental communication.

International competition for space dominance is hotting up and gathering considerable pace. With that in mind the European Commission has put forward a plan for an EU space-based secure communication system to safeguard its communications and current assets while also developing European space technology.

The new space communication system will not only provide uninterrupted secure satellite communications but also support the protection of critical infrastructures such as crisis management applications.

As an example, connectivity and communication are key for search and rescue teams. And during the devastating summer floods of 2021 rescue efforts were hampered due to communication problems. This new satellite communication system would be able to overcome any future issues, says Christoph Kautz, who leads the team behind this project in the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS).

“The system will also provide connectivity over geographical areas of strategic interest, for instance Africa and the Arctic, as part of the EU Global Gateway strategy,” states a European commission press release.

DG DEFIS is tasked with keeping European satellites safe from the danger of collision with space debris. It also oversees the uptake of space data and services to ensure the capabilities of the Copernicus Earth observation programme and the Galileo global navigation satellite system.

This new satellite communication network system comes at a time when Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have announced similar plans.

One major difference to the private endeavour of Musk’s Starlink is that, primarily, the EU system will be for governmental use with high security features using the newest technologies available like quantum technology for secure unhackable encryption.

This should eliminate the need for EU delegates and embassies to use private networks when discussing sensitive information.

Another point of difference is that the EU will make use of all available orbits in space, not only low Earth orbits that are being used by the mega constellations currently being built by the private sector.

The total cost is estimated at €6bn, with the EU committing €2.4bn over the next 5 years “at current prices.”

The European Parliament and Council are scheduled to approve the proposal by the end of this year. The aim is to have initial services up and running by the end of 2024 and be fully operational sometime in 2027.

On 25 January the commission hosted the and outlined strategic aims and challenges for the EU’s role in space to members states.